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B2 noun 10 min read

forbehold

Examples forbehold in 30 Seconds
Explanation forbehold in your Level:
At the A1 level, the word 'forbehold' is quite advanced, but you might see it in shops. Imagine you see a sign that says 'Vi tager forbehold for fejl.' This means the shop is saying: 'We are sorry if we made a mistake in the price.' You don't need to use this word yet, but remember it looks like 'for' and 'behold.' In English, 'behold' is like 'keep.' So, they are 'keeping' a small part of the promise back, just in case. It is like saying 'maybe' or 'if.' For now, just recognize that when you see this word in a store, it's about rules and mistakes. Don't worry about the grammar yet, just know it is a 'reservation.'
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At the A2 level, you can start to understand that 'forbehold' is a noun used when people are not 100% sure. You might hear it in news headlines about the EU or in contracts. It is a neuter noun: 'et forbehold.' A good phrase to learn is 'uden forbehold.' This means 'completely' or 'unconditionally.' For example, 'Jeg elsker dig uden forbehold' (I love you without any 'buts'). You are starting to see how Danish uses compound words. 'For' + 'behold' means 'reservation.' If you are buying something online in Denmark, look for this word in the 'Terms and Conditions' (Handelsbetingelser). It usually protects the seller.
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By B1, you should be able to recognize 'forbehold' in professional and social contexts. You should know the common expression 'at tage forbehold for noget.' This means 'to make a reservation about something.' If you are planning a meeting, you might say: 'Jeg kommer, men med forbehold for at min datter er syg.' This means you plan to come, but if your daughter is still sick, you might not. It's a very useful word for being polite but cautious. You should also be aware that the plural is the same as the singular: 'et forbehold' (one) and 'to forbehold' (two). It is a key word for discussing plans and agreements where everything is not yet certain.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'forbehold' accurately in both speech and writing. You should understand the nuance between 'et forbehold' and 'en betingelse.' While a condition is a requirement, a reservation is a qualification of a statement. You should be comfortable using it in formal settings, such as writing a job application or a business email. For example, 'Jeg accepterer tilbuddet med forbehold for endelig godkendelse fra min advokat.' You should also understand the 'Danish EU reservations' (de danske EU-forbehold) as a cultural and political concept. This word is essential for expressing skepticism or professional caution. You should also be able to use the adjective 'forbeholden' to describe a person who is being cautious or reserved.
At C1, you should master the subtle stylistic uses of 'forbehold.' This includes understanding 'mentale forbehold' (mental reservations) and how they are used in psychological or literary contexts. You should be able to use the word in complex legal or academic arguments. For instance, in a thesis, you might discuss the 'forbehold' of your methodology. You should also be familiar with the auditor's term 'regnskab med forbehold' (qualified accounts) and what that implies for a company's financial health. Your use of prepositions like 'over for' versus 'for' should be flawless. You can use the word to add layers of sophistication to your arguments, showing that you understand the limitations of your own claims.
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At the C2 level, 'forbehold' is a tool for precision. you understand the historical and legal weight of the term in Danish constitutional law and international treaties. You can engage in deep debates about whether the 'EU-forbehold' are still relevant or if they should be abolished. You use the word effortlessly in high-level negotiation, knowing exactly when to 'tage et forbehold' to protect interests without stalling the process. You recognize the word's presence in classical Danish literature and how it reflects a certain national character of caution and pragmatism. For you, 'forbehold' is not just a vocabulary word, but a concept that defines the boundaries of Danish legal and social thought.
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Examples

forbehold in 30 Seconds

  • A 'forbehold' is a reservation or qualification added to a statement or agreement.
  • Commonly used with the verb 'tage' (to take) as in 'tage forbehold for'.
  • Essential in Danish law, politics (EU reservations), and everyday business transactions.
  • Can mean either a specific condition or a general sense of skepticism/caution.
In the Danish language, the noun forbehold is a sophisticated term that translates most directly to 'reservation,' 'proviso,' or 'qualification.' At its core, it describes a condition or a doubt that limits a statement, an agreement, or an emotion. If you accept something 'med forbehold,' you are not giving your 100% unconditional approval; rather, you are saying 'Yes, but...' This word is essential for B2 learners because it moves beyond simple 'yes/no' communication into the realm of nuance and professional caution.
Etymological Root
The word is a compound of 'for' (before/in front) and 'behold' (keep/hold). Literally, it suggests 'holding something back' for later or keeping a part of your commitment in reserve.
Historically, it has been used in legal and diplomatic contexts to ensure that parties are not bound by unforeseen circumstances. For example, a lawyer might include a 'forbehold' in a contract to protect a client if specific conditions are not met.

Vi tager forbehold for eventuelle prisændringer og tastefejl.

This specific sentence is seen on almost every Danish webshop, meaning 'We reserve the right to change prices and correct typing errors.' In social contexts, 'forbehold' can describe a person's character. Someone who is 'forbeholden' (the adjective form) is reserved or cautious. However, the noun itself usually refers to the specific points of doubt. If a friend asks if you want to go on a trip, and you say 'Yes, but I have to check my work schedule,' that check is a 'forbehold.'
Social Context
Danish culture values 'tryghed' (security) and 'orden' (order). Therefore, making 'forbehold' is seen as a sign of responsibility rather than indecisiveness. It shows you have considered the risks.
In politics, the most famous use involves the 'EU-forbehold.' Denmark has four specific reservations regarding European Union cooperation (defense, currency, citizenship, and justice). These are not just doubts; they are legally binding exceptions.

De danske forbehold har været genstand for mange folkeafstemninger.

This demonstrates that the word can scale from a minor personal hesitation to a major national policy. Understanding 'forbehold' allows you to navigate Danish bureaucracy and social etiquette with much higher precision. It is the difference between an amateur 'Yes' and a professional 'Yes, provided that...'
Grammatical Pattern
Usually paired with the verb 'tage' (to take). 'At tage forbehold for noget' is the standard way to express making a reservation.

Hun accepterede jobbet med visse forbehold.

Uden forbehold elsker jeg denne by.

Using forbehold correctly requires understanding its typical collocations and prepositional phrases. The most common construction is 'at tage forbehold for [something].' This means to reserve one's position or to qualify a statement regarding a specific topic. For example, 'Jeg tager forbehold for, at planen kan ændre sig' (I reserve the right that the plan might change). Here, the 'forbehold' acts as a buffer against future criticism if the plan does indeed change.
Professional Usage
In business meetings, you might say, 'Vi støtter forslaget, men med det forbehold at budgettet overholdes.' This translates to: 'We support the proposal, but with the reservation that the budget is kept.'
Another important phrase is 'uden forbehold,' which means 'unconditionally' or 'without any doubt.' If you support a friend 'uden forbehold,' your support is total and lacks any 'ifs' or 'buts.'

Han sagde ja til opgaven helt uden forbehold.

This contrast between 'med' (with) and 'uden' (without) is the primary way the word functions in daily Danish. You can also use adjectives to describe the nature of the reservation. Common adjectives include 'vigtige' (important), 'små' (small), 'skriftlige' (written), or 'mentale' (mental). A 'mentalt forbehold' is a fascinating concept where someone outwardly agrees but inwardly disagrees or remains skeptical.

Hun tog et mentalt forbehold, da han lovede guld og grønne skove.

Legal Context
In contracts, you will see 'forbehold om ejendomsret' (reservation of ownership), meaning the seller keeps the rights until full payment is made.
When writing, ensure you use the correct preposition. It is almost always 'for' when referring to the object of the reservation, but 'om' can be used in specific legal clauses.

Der er visse forbehold forbundet med denne investering.

Common Phrasing
'At tage sine forbehold' (To take one's precautions/reservations) is a set phrase used when one is being careful about a situation.

Man bør altid tage sine forbehold, før man skriver under.

Resultatet skal tages med et vist forbehold.

You will encounter forbehold in a variety of real-world Danish settings, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. One of the most common places is in advertising and retail. Whenever a store has a sale, the fine print will almost inevitably contain the phrase 'Vi tager forbehold for udsolgte varer' (We reserve the right regarding sold-out items). This protects the store if a customer comes in for a deal that is no longer available.
News and Media
Journalists use this word when reporting on unconfirmed information. You might hear: 'Vi bringer denne oplysning med forbehold, da kilden endnu ikke er bekræftet' (We bring this information with reservation, as the source is not yet confirmed).
In the political arena, the word is ubiquitous. Denmark's relationship with the EU is defined by the 'retsforbehold' (justice reservation), 'forsvarsforbehold' (defense reservation - though this was recently abolished), 'euroforbehold' (currency reservation), and 'unionsborgerskab' (citizenship reservation). These are discussed constantly in Danish news programs like 'Deadline' or 'TV2 News.'

Debatten om de danske EU-forbehold fortsætter i Folketinget.

In legal and academic writing, 'forbehold' is used to define the scope of a study or a contract. A scientist might write, 'Undersøgelsen må læses med forbehold for den lille stikprøvestørrelse' (The study must be read with reservation regarding the small sample size).
Everyday Conversation
Even in casual settings, if someone is hesitant about a plan, they might say, 'Jeg er med, men jeg har lige et lille forbehold...' This signals that they are mostly on board but have one specific concern.

Lægen udtrykte forbehold over for den nye behandlingsmetode.

Financial Reports
If an auditor finds issues in a company's accounts, they provide a report 'med forbehold' (qualified opinion), which is a serious red flag for investors.

Revisor tog forbehold for værdiansættelsen af lageret.

Der er ingen forbehold i denne aftale.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with forbehold is confusing it with related but distinct words like 'forhold' (relationship/condition) or 'forskel' (difference). While 'forhold' refers to the general state of things, 'forbehold' specifically refers to a limitation or reservation.
Confusing 'Forhold' and 'Forbehold'
Incorrect: 'Jeg har et godt forbehold til min chef.' (I have a good reservation to my boss.) Correct: 'Jeg har et godt forhold til min chef.' (I have a good relationship with my boss.)
Another mistake involves the preposition. Learners often try to use 'omkring' (around) or 'af' (of) instead of the correct 'for' or 'over for'.

Fejl: Han tog forbehold af prisen. Korrekt: Han tog forbehold for prisen.

Learners also struggle with the plural form. Since 'forbehold' is a neuter noun ending in a consonant, the indefinite plural is identical to the indefinite singular. Do not add '-er' or '-e'.
Pluralization Error
Incorrect: 'Mange forbeholder.' Correct: 'Mange forbehold.'
Misinterpreting 'uden forbehold' is another trap. Some learners think it means 'without protection' or 'carelessly,' but in Danish, it actually means 'unconditionally' and is usually a very positive, strong statement of commitment.

Jeg støtter dig uden forbehold.

Finally, ensure you don't confuse the noun 'forbehold' with the verb 'forbeholde' (to reserve). While related, they function differently in a sentence. You 'tager et forbehold' (take a reservation) but you 'forbeholder dig retten' (reserve the right).
Word Order
When using 'med forbehold for', the object usually follows directly after 'for'. 'Med forbehold for regn' (With reservation for rain).

Husk at læse alle forbehold i kontrakten.

Det er et vigtigt forbehold at have in mente.

To truly master forbehold, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and near-synonyms. While 'forbehold' is the most common term for a reservation, other words might be more appropriate depending on the level of formality or the specific context.
Reservation vs. Forbehold
'Reservation' is a direct synonym often used in more academic or formal contexts. While 'forbehold' is common in law and daily life, 'reservation' sounds slightly more Latinate and formal. However, in Danish, 'reservation' is also the word for booking a table or a room, which 'forbehold' is NOT.
Another close word is 'betingelse' (condition). A 'betingelse' is something that MUST happen for something else to occur. A 'forbehold' is more about the speaker's own caution or a potential exception.

Min eneste betingelse er, at vi starter klokken ni. (My only condition...)

Jeg kommer, men med det forbehold, at jeg måske skal gå tidligt. (I'm coming, but with the reservation...)

'Skeptisk' (skeptical) is the adjective you might use if someone has many 'forbehold.' If you say 'Han er skeptisk over for planen,' it implies he has many 'forbehold.'
Modifikation
This word is used in logic or linguistics to describe a change that limits a statement. It is much more technical than 'forbehold.'
In legal terms, you might also hear 'klausul' (clause). A 'forbehold' can be written as a 'klausul' in a contract.

Der er en særlig klausul om opsigelse.

Anke
An 'anke' is a formal complaint or an appeal. It is much stronger and more negative than a 'forbehold.'

Jeg har ingen forbehold over for dit valg.

Dette er et forbehold, vi ikke kan ignorere.

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Examples by Level

1

Vi tager forbehold for fejl.

We reserve the right for errors.

Simple present tense with a neuter noun.

2

Der er et forbehold.

There is a reservation.

Use of 'et' for neuter nouns.

3

Uden forbehold sagde han ja.

Without reservation he said yes.

'Uden' is a preposition meaning without.

4

Hvad er dit forbehold?

What is your reservation?

Question word 'hvad'.

5

Jeg har ingen forbehold.

I have no reservations.

'Ingen' matches the neuter noun.

6

Et lille forbehold er nok.

A small reservation is enough.

Adjective 'lille' with a neuter noun.

7

Læs alle forbehold her.

Read all reservations here.

Imperative 'læs'.

8

Dette forbehold er vigtigt.

This reservation is important.

Demonstrative 'dette'.

1

Butikken tager forbehold for udsolgte varer.

The shop reserves the right for sold-out items.

Common retail phrase.

2

Jeg støtter dig helt uden forbehold.

I support you completely without reservation.

Adverb 'helt' intensifies 'uden'.

3

Der er mange forbehold i denne kontrakt.

There are many reservations in this contract.

Plural 'forbehold' is same as singular.

4

Hun har et forbehold over for planen.

She has a reservation about the plan.

Preposition 'over for' used for attitudes.

5

Vi tager forbehold for prisændringer.

We reserve the right for price changes.

Compound noun 'prisændringer'.

6

Er der nogle forbehold, jeg skal kende?

Are there any reservations I should know?

Relative clause 'jeg skal kende'.

7

Hans forbehold var meget tydeligt.

His reservation was very clear.

Possessive pronoun 'hans'.

8

Vi kan ikke acceptere dette forbehold.

We cannot accept this reservation.

Modal verb 'kan' + 'ikke'.

1

Jeg tager forbehold for, at vi kan blive forsinket.

I reserve the right that we might be delayed.

Subordinate clause starting with 'at'.

2

Med forbehold for vejret, så tager vi på stranden.

Weather permitting, we are going to the beach.

Conditional phrase with 'med'.

3

Aftalen blev underskrevet med visse forbehold.

The agreement was signed with certain reservations.

Passive voice 'blev underskrevet'.

4

Det er nødvendigt at tage sine forbehold.

It is necessary to take one's precautions.

Infinitive phrase 'at tage'.

5

Han tog et mentalt forbehold under samtalen.

He made a mental reservation during the conversation.

Adjective 'mentalt' modifying the noun.

6

Uden forbehold er det den bedste film i år.

Without reservation, it is the best movie this year.

Superlative 'bedste'.

7

Virksomheden tager forbehold for trykfejl i kataloget.

The company reserves the right for typos in the catalog.

Genitive case 'virksomhedens' implied.

8

Hendes forbehold viste sig at være begrundede.

Her reservations turned out to be justified.

Plural definite 'forbeholdene' could also fit.

1

Danmark har fire forbehold i forhold til EU.

Denmark has four reservations in relation to the EU.

Specific political terminology.

2

Jeg må tage forbehold for, at tallene ikke er endelige.

I must reserve the right that the numbers are not final.

Modal 'må' expressing necessity.

3

Han udtalte sig med store forbehold om fremtiden.

He spoke with great reservations about the future.

Prepositional phrase 'om fremtiden'.

4

Revisoren tog forbehold for regnskabets rigtighed.

The auditor qualified the accuracy of the accounts.

Formal business Danish.

5

Vi kan kun godkende planen med det forbehold, at prisen falder.

We can only approve the plan with the proviso that the price drops.

Complex sentence with 'kun' and 'at'.

6

Der er ingen grund til at have forbehold over for ham.

There is no reason to have reservations about him.

Phrase 'ingen grund til'.

7

Hendes accept var ledsaget af flere forbehold.

Her acceptance was accompanied by several reservations.

Past participle 'ledsaget'.

8

Man bør altid læse det med et vist forbehold.

One should always read it with a certain reservation.

Indefinite pronoun 'man'.

1

Det er et forbehold, som bunder i dyb skepsis.

It is a reservation that stems from deep skepticism.

Relative clause 'som bunder i'.

2

Ministeren tog forbehold for resultatet af undersøgelsen.

The minister made a reservation regarding the result of the investigation.

Official administrative language.

3

Han tilsluttede sig resolutionen uden mindste forbehold.

He joined the resolution without the slightest reservation.

Superlative 'mindste'.

4

Retten tog forbehold for sagens komplekse natur.

The court made a reservation for the complex nature of the case.

Legal terminology.

5

Der tages forbehold for mellemsalg i ejendomshandlen.

Subject to prior sale in the real estate transaction.

Passive present 'tages'.

6

Kritikken blev modtaget med et vist forbehold fra ledelsen.

The criticism was received with a certain reservation from management.

Prepositional phrase 'fra ledelsen'.

7

Forfatteren tager forbehold for historiske unøjagtigheder.

The author reserves the right for historical inaccuracies.

Subject-verb agreement.

8

Dette forbehold er en integreret del af vores politik.

This reservation is an integrated part of our policy.

Adjective 'integreret'.

1

Retsforbeholdet har vidtrækkende konsekvenser for politisamarbejdet.

The justice reservation has far-reaching consequences for police cooperation.

Compound noun 'retsforbeholdet'.

2

Analysen må læses med det forbehold, at datagrundlaget er spinkelt.

The analysis must be read with the reservation that the data basis is thin.

Advanced academic caution.

3

Han opererede med et implicit forbehold i alle sine løfter.

He operated with an implicit reservation in all his promises.

Adjective 'implicit'.

4

Ejendomsforbeholdet sikrer sælgeren i tilfælde af købers konkurs.

The retention of title protects the seller in case of the buyer's bankruptcy.

Specialized legal term.

5

At ophæve forbeholdene kræver en grundlovsændring.

To abolish the reservations requires a constitutional amendment.

Infinitive as subject.

6

Hendes støtte var behæftet med så mange forbehold, at den var værdiløs.

Her support was encumbered with so many reservations that it was worthless.

Adjective 'behæftet med'.

7

Vi må tage de nødvendige forbehold for at undgå diplomatiske kriser.

We must take the necessary reservations to avoid diplomatic crises.

Purpose clause with 'for at'.

8

Uden mindste forbehold kastede han sig over den nye udfordring.

Without the slightest reservation, he threw himself into the new challenge.

Idiomatic expression 'kaste sig over'.

Common Collocations

tage forbehold for
uden forbehold
med forbehold
tage sine forbehold
et mentalt forbehold
de danske forbehold
tage forbehold over for
vigtigt forbehold
skriftligt forbehold
tage forbehold for alt

Common Phrases

Med forbehold for ændringer

— Subject to change. Used in schedules and menus.

Programmet er med forbehold for ændringer.

Tage forbehold for trykfejl

— Reserving the right for typos. Found in catalogs.

Vi tager forbehold for trykfejl.

Uden mindste forbehold

— Without the slightest reservation.

Jeg anbefaler ham uden mindste forbehold.

Tage sine forholdsregler

— To take precautions (often confused with forbehold).

Vi må tage vores forholdsregler mod regnen.

Et juridisk forbehold

— A legal reservation in a contract.

Advokaten indsatte et juridisk forbehold.

Forbehold for mellemsalg

— Subject to prior sale in real estate.

Tilbuddet er med forbehold for mellemsalg.

Et vist forbehold

— A certain degree of reservation.

Han lyttede med et vist forbehold.

Tage forbehold for vejret

— To qualify a plan based on the weather.

Vi planlægger festen med forbehold for vejret.

Gøre forbehold gældende

— To assert or apply a reservation.

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This Word in Other Languages

forbehold Norwegian
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