Meaning
You forget what you don't see.
Cultural Background
Danes often use this proverb with a shrug of the shoulders, reflecting a pragmatic acceptance that life goes on and people change. In Danish flat-hierarchy workplaces, being physically present (or active on Slack/Teams) is vital to avoid this effect. With high social media usage, Danes often 'mute' people to achieve an 'ude af øje, ude af sind' state without unfriending them. The phrase appears in Ludvig Holberg's plays, showing its long-standing place in Danish cultural consciousness.
Use it for Clutter
Danes love using this when talking about cleaning. If you want to sound native, use it when you put something in a cupboard.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'Ude af øjnene'. It sounds like you are a robot trying to speak Danish.
Meaning
You forget what you don't see.
Use it for Clutter
Danes love using this when talking about cleaning. If you want to sound native, use it when you put something in a cupboard.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'Ude af øjnene'. It sounds like you are a robot trying to speak Danish.
Test Yourself
Udfyld de manglende ord i ordsproget.
Ude af ____, ude af ____.
The traditional form uses 'øje' (singular) and 'sind'.
Hvilken situation passer bedst til ordsproget?
Peter flytter til Aarhus og stopper med at ringe til sine venner i København.
This situation describes forgetting people due to distance.
Vælg det rigtige svar for at færdiggøre samtalen.
A: 'Hvorfor har du gemt dine eksamensbøger i kælderen?' B: 'Fordi jeg ikke vil tænke på dem mere. ______.'
B wants to forget the books by hiding them from view.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use 'Ude af øje, ude af sind'
Relationships
- • Ex-partners
- • Old classmates
- • Long distance
Home
- • Storage boxes
- • Dirty laundry
- • Unpaid bills
Practice Bank
3 exercisesUde af ____, ude af ____.
The traditional form uses 'øje' (singular) and 'sind'.
Peter flytter til Aarhus og stopper med at ringe til sine venner i København.
This situation describes forgetting people due to distance.
A: 'Hvorfor har du gemt dine eksamensbøger i kælderen?' B: 'Fordi jeg ikke vil tænke på dem mere. ______.'
B wants to forget the books by hiding them from view.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsIt is always 'øje' (singular) in the proverb.
It can be blunt. It's better to use it about yourself or a general situation rather than telling a friend they will forget you.
'Sind' is the mind/soul, 'hjerne' is the physical brain. Proverbs almost always use 'sind'.
Related Phrases
Glemt er gemt
similarWhat is hidden is forgotten.
Ude af syne
synonymOut of sight.
Afstand gør hjertet varmere
contrastDistance makes the heart grow fonder.
