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Vocabulary
indiskret

C1 adjective 9 min read

indiskret

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips indiskret in 30 Seconds

Explanation indiskret in your Level:

At this level, you don't need to use 'indiskret' yet. It is a very hard word. Instead, you might say 'Han siger hemmeligheder' (He says secrets) or 'Det er ikke pænt' (That's not nice). 'Indiskret' is about someone who talks too much about things they should not talk about. Think of it like a person who tells your secrets to everyone at school. It is a big word for a simple problem: talking when you should be quiet.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand that 'indiskret' is a negative word for someone who is 'taktløs' (tactless). If a friend tells your mother something you told them in private, they are 'indiskret'. You can use simple sentences like 'Min ven var indiskret' (My friend was indiscreet). It is like 'ikke diskret'. You use it when someone is not good at keeping a secret or asks personal questions that make you feel uncomfortable.

By B1, you should recognize 'indiskret' in texts about social problems or stories. You understand it describes a person who lacks 'takt' (tact). You might use it to describe a character in a book: 'Han er en indiskret person, fordi han spørger om penge' (He is an indiscreet person because he asks about money). You are learning that Danish culture values 'privatliv' (privacy), and being 'indiskret' is the opposite of that value. It's a useful word for discussing social boundaries in a basic way.

At B2, you can use 'indiskret' more naturally in discussions about ethics or social media. You can distinguish between the adjective 'indiskret' and the noun 'indiskretion'. You might say, 'Det er indiskret at lægge billeder af andre op uden at spørge' (It is indiscreet to post pictures of others without asking). You understand the grammar: 'en indiskret bemærkning' vs 'de indiskrete journalister'. You are starting to see the nuance between just being 'nysgerrig' (curious) and being 'indiskret' (probing too much).

At C1, you master the nuance of 'indiskret'. You use it to describe political leaks, professional misconduct, and subtle social faux pas. You understand that it implies a lack of judgment. You can use it adverbially ('at kigge indiskret') and in various registers. You know that calling someone 'indiskret' in a professional setting is a serious critique of their reliability. You can use it to explain complex social situations where trust has been broken through speech. You also know related terms like 'tavshedspligt' and how 'indiskretion' differs from a formal breach of contract.

At C2, 'indiskret' is part of your precise vocabulary. You use it to describe the subtle 'røbende' (revealing) nature of a glance or a turn of phrase. You can discuss the etymology (from Latin 'indiscretus') and how the meaning has evolved in Danish literature. You use it in high-level academic or diplomatic contexts where the distinction between 'diskretion' and 'indiskretion' can have major consequences. You can use the word ironically or with deep sarcasm to critique social climbers or the 'tabloidpresse' (tabloid press). Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

indiskret in 30 Seconds

Indiskret is an adjective used to describe someone who lacks tact or reveals private information.
It is the opposite of 'diskret' and is generally used as a criticism in social and professional contexts.
The word is vital for C1 learners to describe breaches of trust and social boundaries accurately.
Commonly associated with gossip, political leaks, and prying into others' personal affairs.

The Danish word indiskret is a sophisticated adjective that translates directly to 'indiscreet' in English. At its core, it describes a lack of judgment or a failure to maintain confidentiality, particularly in social or professional settings. When someone is indiskret, they are revealing information that should have remained private, or they are acting in a way that is tactless and potentially embarrassing to others. This word is highly relevant for C1 learners because it moves beyond simple terms like 'dum' (stupid) or 'dårlig' (bad) to describe a specific social transgression: the breach of trust through unvetted speech.

Social Context: It is used to describe people who gossip or share secrets without thinking about the consequences. In Danish culture, which values 'hygge' and a certain level of privacy, being called indiskret is a significant criticism of one's character.
Professional Context: In a workplace, an indiskret colleague might leak salary information or discuss a client's private business in a public hallway. It suggests a lack of professional 'takt' (tact).

Det var meget indiskret af hende at spørge om hans skilsmisse foran alle gæsterne.

Translation: It was very indiscreet of her to ask about his divorce in front of all the guests.

The nuance of indiskret also extends to physical actions. An 'indiskret blik' (an indiscreet glance) is a look that lingers too long on something it shouldn't, such as a private document or someone's physical appearance. It implies a violation of personal boundaries. Unlike the word 'taktløs' (tactless), which focuses on the lack of social grace, indiskret specifically highlights the revealing nature of the act—the making public of the private.

Journalisten stillede nogle ret indiskrete spørgsmål til ministeren.

Translation: The journalist asked the minister some rather indiscreet questions.

Emotional Resonance: The word carries a sting. To call someone's behavior indiskret is to suggest they are unreliable or even malicious in their transparency.

Furthermore, the term is often used in literature and high-level journalism to describe leaks or the revealing of 'beskidt vasketøj' (dirty laundry). It is a word that demands a certain level of social intelligence to use correctly, as it judges the speaker's understanding of boundaries. If you use this word, you are signaling that you recognize the 'uskrevne regler' (unwritten rules) of Danish social conduct.

Man bør undgå at være indiskret, hvis man vil beholde sine venner.

Using indiskret correctly requires an understanding of its adjective forms and its typical collocations. As a C1 learner, you should be comfortable using it to modify nouns (attributive use) and as a predicate after verbs like 'være' (to be) or 'virke' (to seem).

Attributive Use: When modifying a noun directly: 'En indiskret bemærkning' (An indiscreet remark). Here, the adjective describes the nature of the remark itself as something that reveals too much.
Predicative Use: When describing a subject: 'Han var meget indiskret' (He was very indiscreet). This focuses on the person's character or specific action at that moment.

Deres indiskrete opførsel til festen vakte stor opsigt.

Translation: Their indiscreet behavior at the party caused a stir.

The plural form indiskrete is used when the noun it modifies is plural or when it follows a definite article. For example: 'De indiskrete journalister' (The indiscreet journalists). It is important to remember that Danish adjectives must agree with the noun in number and definiteness, though 'indiskret' is somewhat unique because the common and neuter singular forms are identical (unlike 'rød/rødt').

In more complex sentences, you might see it used in an adverbial sense, though 'indiskret' doesn't change its form to an '-ly' equivalent like English; it stays 'indiskret'. For example: 'Han kiggede indiskret over på hendes computerskærm' (He looked indiscreetly over at her computer screen). This usage highlights the manner in which an action is performed.

Det ville være indiskret af mig at nævne navne, men vi ved alle, hvem der taler.

The Noun Form: The noun 'indiskretion' (an indiscretion) is also common at the C1 level. 'En lille indiskretion kan ødelægge et venskab' (A small indiscretion can ruin a friendship).

Finally, consider the intensity. You can use modifiers like 'ret' (rather), 'temmelig' (fairly), or 'yderst' (extremely) to shade the meaning. 'En yderst indiskret kilde' suggests a high-level leak or a person who is habitually unable to keep secrets. Mastery of these nuances allows you to describe social friction with precision.

You are likely to encounter indiskret in various high-stakes environments. One of the most common places is in political commentary. Danish news outlets like Berlingske or Politiken often use the word to describe leaks from 'Christiansborg' (the Danish parliament). When a politician's private remarks are leaked to the press, they are termed indiskrete.

Radioavisen rapporterede om indiskrete udtalelser fra lukkede møder.

Translation: The radio news reported on indiscreet statements from closed meetings.

Another common setting is in literature, particularly in psychological thrillers or social dramas. Authors use the word to build tension between characters. If a character is described as indiskret, the reader immediately knows that this person is a liability—someone who might reveal the protagonist's secret at the worst possible moment.

Reality TV & Gossip: In programs like 'Gift ved første blik' or various talk shows, participants might be accused of being indiskrete when they talk about their partners' private habits or financial situations. It is the 'go-to' word for a breach of intimacy.

Han følte sig krænket over hendes indiskrete spørgsmål om hans fortid.

In the legal world, though less formal than 'brud på tavshedspligt' (breach of confidentiality), indiskretion is used to describe a professional who has been loose-lipped. If a doctor or lawyer is indiskret, it is a serious ethical failing. You might hear this in podcasts discussing legal cases or ethical dilemmas.

Finally, in everyday life, you might hear a friend apologize by saying, 'Jeg håber ikke, jeg var for indiskret i går' (I hope I wasn't too indiscreet yesterday). This is a common way to walk back a conversation where one might have shared too much personal info or asked a question that was a bit too probing. It shows a sophisticated awareness of social boundaries.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing indiskret with indirekte (indirect). While they sound vaguely similar, they mean completely different things. Being 'indirekte' means not being straightforward, whereas being 'indiskret' means being too revealing or tactless. Using one for the other can lead to significant confusion in a conversation.

Fejl: Han gav mig et indiskret svar. (Mente: indirekte)

Correction: Unless the answer revealed a secret, 'indirekte' is the correct choice.

Another mistake is overusing the word for simple mistakes. Indiskret usually implies a breach of privacy or trust. If someone just says something silly or factually wrong, they aren't indiskret; they are just 'klodset' (clumsy) or 'forkert' (wrong). Reserve indiskret for moments where a boundary of confidentiality has been crossed.

Grammar Trap: Adjective Agreement: Learners often forget to add the '-e' in plural or definite contexts. Forgetting the 'e' in 'de indiskrete bemærkninger' makes the sentence sound 'uharmonisk' to a native ear.

Finally, some learners confuse it with 'ubehagelig' (unpleasant). While an indiskret person can be unpleasant, the word specifically targets the *lack of discretion*. A person can be perfectly 'behagelig' (pleasant) and still be 'indiskret' by accident because they like to talk too much. Don't assume it always implies a mean intention; it often implies a lack of self-control or awareness.

Vær forsigtig med at bruge ordet om børn, da de sjældent har begrebet om diskretion endnu.

To truly master Danish at the C1 level, you must be able to distinguish indiskret from its synonyms. Each word carries a slightly different 'smag' (flavor).

Taktløs vs. Indiskret: Taktløs (tactless) is broader. It refers to any social blunder, like making a joke at a funeral. Indiskret is specific to revealing private information. You can be taktløs without being indiskret, but being indiskret is almost always taktløs.
Uovervejet vs. Indiskret: Uovervejet (thoughtless/unconsidered) suggests a lack of planning. An indiskret remark might be very well-considered (malicious gossip), whereas an uovervejet remark is just a slip of the tongue.

Hendes snakkesalighed grænsede til det indiskrete.

Translation: Her talkativeness bordered on the indiscreet.

Another alternative is røbende (revealing). This is more literal and less judgmental. 'En røbende detalje' is a detail that gives something away. Indiskret adds a layer of social disapproval that røbende lacks. If you want to be neutral, use 'afslørende' or 'røbende'. If you want to criticize the person's behavior, use indiskret.

Finally, consider nysgerrig (curious). Someone who is indiskret often asks nysgerrige questions. However, nysgerrig can be positive (a curious child), whereas indiskret is almost always negative in a social context. Knowing when to swap these words will make your Danish sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally had more to do with the inability to distinguish between things, but evolved into the social meaning of not distinguishing between what is public and private.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /en.di.skʁet/

US /ɪn.dɪ.skret/

Stress is on the last syllable: in-di-SKRET.

Rhymes With

konkret diskret sekret profet analfabet majestæt prioritet kvalitet

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 't' too sharply like in English 'wet'. In Danish, it's softer.
Putting the stress on the first syllable.
Confusing the vowel 'i' with 'e'.
Stressing the 'in' like in 'indirekte'.
Over-enunciating the 'd'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in newspapers and literature.

Writing 5/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings and social context.

Speaking 4/5

Useful for high-level social interaction.

Listening 3/5

Easy to hear, but can be confused with 'indirekte'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

hemmelighed diskret at sige privat takt

Learn Next

indiskretion tavshedspligt fortrolig blufærdig krænke

Advanced

indiskretion taktløshed uovervejethed lækage illoyalitet

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

En indiskret mand (common), et indiskret barn (neuter), to indiskrete folk (plural).

Word Order with Adverbs

Han talte indiskret (after the verb).

Definite Form

Den indiskrete bemærkning (adds -e).

Noun formation from adjectives

Indiskret -> Indiskretion.

Negative prefix 'in-'

Indiskret (not discreet), Ineffektiv (not effective).

Examples by Level

Han er indiskret.

He is indiscreet.

Basic subject-verb-adjective.

Det var indiskret.

That was indiscreet.

'Det' refers to an action.

Er jeg indiskret?

Am I indiscreet?

Question form.

Hun er ikke indiskret.

She is not indiscreet.

Negation with 'ikke'.

Hvorfor er du indiskret?

Why are you indiscreet?

Question word 'hvorfor'.

Stop med at være indiskret.

Stop being indiscreet.

Imperative.

En indiskret ven.

An indiscreet friend.

Adjective-noun phrase.

Det er en indiskret ting at sige.

That is an indiscreet thing to say.

Attributive use.

Min nabo er meget indiskret.

My neighbor is very indiscreet.

Using 'meget' as an intensifier.

Han stillede et indiskret spørgsmål.

He asked an indiscreet question.

Past tense verb 'stillede'.

Jeg vil ikke være indiskret, men...

I don't want to be indiscreet, but...

Common conversational opener.

De er altid så indiskrete.

They are always so indiscreet.

Plural form 'indiskrete'.

Det er indiskret at tale om penge.

It is indiscreet to talk about money.

Infinitive clause 'at tale'.

Hun fortalte min hemmelighed; hun er indiskret.

She told my secret; she is indiscreet.

Compound sentence.

Vær ikke så indiskret over for gæsterne.

Don't be so indiscreet towards the guests.

Preposition 'over for'.

Det var en indiskret bemærkning.

It was an indiscreet remark.

Noun 'bemærkning'.

Det virker indiskret at spørge om hendes alder.

It seems indiscreet to ask about her age.

Verb 'virker' (seems).

Journalisten var kendt for sine indiskrete metoder.

The journalist was known for his indiscreet methods.

Definite plural 'indiskrete'.

Jeg følte mig utilpas ved hans indiskrete blik.

I felt uncomfortable at his indiscreet glance.

Reflexive verb 'følte mig'.

Man bør ikke være indiskret på sin arbejdsplads.

One should not be indiscreet at one's workplace.

Modal verb 'bør'.

Hendes indiskrete opførsel ødelagde festen.

Her indiscreet behavior ruined the party.

Possessive 'hendes'.

Det var en yderst indiskret afsløring.

It was an extremely indiscreet revelation.

Adverb 'yderst'.

Han undskyldte for sin indiskrete kommentar.

He apologized for his indiscreet comment.

Preposition 'for'.

Er det indiskret at kigge i din taske?

Is it indiscreet to look in your bag?

Infinitive phrase.

Det ville være indiskret af mig at afsløre detaljerne.

It would be indiscreet of me to reveal the details.

Conditional 'ville være'.

Politikeren blev kritiseret for sine indiskrete udtalelser.

The politician was criticized for his indiscreet statements.

Passive voice 'blev kritiseret'.

Hun undgik at svare på de indiskrete spørgsmål.

She avoided answering the indiscreet questions.

Verb + infinitive 'undgik at svare'.

Deres indiskretion førte til en stor skandale.

Their indiscretion led to a major scandal.

Noun form 'indiskretion'.

Det er indiskret at blande sig i andres privatliv.

It is indiscreet to interfere in others' private lives.

Reflexive verb 'blande sig'.

Han kiggede indiskret på min lønseddel.

He looked indiscreetly at my payslip.

Adverbial usage.

Filmen giver et indiskret indblik i kongefamiliens liv.

The film gives an indiscreet insight into the royal family's life.

Noun 'indblik'.

Hun er ofte for indiskret til at blive betroet hemmeligheder.

She is often too indiscreet to be entrusted with secrets.

'for... til at...' construction.

Det var en eklatant og indiskret overtrædelse af protokollen.

It was a blatant and indiscreet violation of protocol.

Advanced adjectives 'eklatant'.

Hans indiskrete facon gjorde det svært at opretholde fortrolighed.

His indiscreet manner made it difficult to maintain confidentiality.

Noun 'facon' (manner).

Man kan ikke ignorere de indiskrete rygter, der florerer.

One cannot ignore the indiscreet rumors that are circulating.

Relative clause 'der florerer'.

Hun begik en indiskretion ved at nævne klientens navn.

She committed an indiscretion by mentioning the client's name.

Verb 'begå' (to commit).

Det kræver takt at håndtere en så indiskret situation.

It requires tact to handle such an indiscreet situation.

Verb 'håndtere'.

Hans indiskrete nysgerrighed blev opfattet som yderst upassende.

His indiscreet curiosity was perceived as extremely inappropriate.

Passive 'blev opfattet'.

At være indiskret er ofte et tegn på manglende selvkontrol.

Being indiscreet is often a sign of lacking self-control.

Gerund-like infinitive subject.

De indiskrete oplysninger blev lækket til pressen i nat.

The indiscreet information was leaked to the press tonight.

Passive 'blev lækket'.

Hendes indiskrete afsløringer rystede fundamentet for deres ægteskab.

Her indiscreet revelations shook the foundation of their marriage.

Metaphorical usage.

Der er en hårfin grænse mellem at være ærlig og at være indiskret.

There is a fine line between being honest and being indiscreet.

Idiomatic 'hårfin grænse'.

Ambassadørens indiskretion udløste en diplomatisk krise.

The ambassador's indiscretion triggered a diplomatic crisis.

Noun subject 'indiskretion'.

Han navigerede behændigt uden om de mest indiskrete spørgsmål.

He deftly navigated around the most indiscreet questions.

Adverb 'behændigt'.

Den indiskrete brug af personfølsomme data er stærkt problematisk.

The indiscreet use of sensitive personal data is highly problematic.

Compound 'personfølsomme'.

At beskylde nogen for at være indiskret kræver solide beviser.

Accusing someone of being indiscreet requires solid evidence.

Infinitive object 'at være'.

Værkets indiskrete skildring af samtiden vakte harme.

The work's indiscreet depiction of the era caused resentment.

Genitive 'værkets'.

Han er indiskretionen selv, når han har fået et glas for meget.

He is indiscretion itself when he's had one glass too many.

Idiomatic 'selv' for personification.

Synonyms

taktløs ubetænksom røbende afslørende nysgerrig snakkesalig uovervejet løsmundet

Antonyms

diskret taktfuld loyal tavs

Common Collocations

en indiskret bemærkning

et indiskret spørgsmål

indiskrete oplysninger

at være indiskret

en indiskret kilde

indiskret opførsel

et indiskret blik

at virke indiskret

yderst indiskret

temmelig indiskret

Common Phrases

Uden at være indiskret

— A polite way to preface a personal question.

Uden at være indiskret, hvad kostede huset?

En lille indiskretion

— Downplaying a breach of trust.

Det var bare en lille indiskretion fra min side.

At begå en indiskretion

— To make a social mistake or leak info.

Han begik en stor indiskretion ved festen.

Grænse til det indiskrete

— When behavior is almost unacceptable.

Hendes spørgsmål grænsede til det indiskrete.

Indiskret omgang med sandheden

— A clever way to say someone is lying or revealing too much.

Han har en indiskret omgang med sandheden.

At kigge indiskret

— To look in a way that is prying.

Lad være med at kigge så indiskret på naboen.

Indiskrete detaljer

— Specific private facts.

Hun delte mange indiskrete detaljer om sit liv.

En indiskret personlighed

— Describing someone's character trait.

Han har en desværre ret indiskret personlighed.

At tie stille om indiskretioner

— To cover up secrets or mistakes.

Vi må tie stille om hans små indiskretioner.

Indiskret nysgerrighed

— Curiosity that goes too far.

Hendes indiskrete nysgerrighed var irriterende.

Often Confused With

indiskret vs indirekte

Means indirect. Indiskret means tactless/revealing.

indiskret vs indisk

Means Indian (from India). Don't confuse the spelling!

indiskret vs diskret

The opposite. Be careful not to use the wrong one!

Idioms & Expressions

"At tale over sig"

— To accidentally reveal a secret (related to being indiskret).

Han kom til at tale over sig til julefrokosten.

Informal

"At lufte sit beskidte vasketøj"

— To reveal private/embarrassing problems in public.

De luftede deres beskidte vasketøj foran alle.

Informal

"At stikke næsen i andre folks sager"

— To be indiskret by prying into others' business.

Hun stikker altid næsen i mine sager.

Informal

"At have en løs tunge"

— To be unable to keep secrets.

Pas på, hun har en meget løs tunge.

Informal

"At lukke posen op"

— To start telling everything (often secrets).

Nu lukkede han endelig posen op.

Informal

"At gå bag ryggen på nogen"

— To be indiskret/disloyal by talking behind someone's back.

Han gik bag ryggen på mig og fortalte det til chefen.

Neutral

"At kaste med sten, når man selv bor i et glashus"

— Being indiskret about others' faults when you have your own.

Hun er indiskret om hans utroskab, men hun glemmer sit eget glashus.

Neutral

"At få kolde fødder"

— Sometimes leads to indiskretion when one panics and tells too much.

Han fik kolde fødder og begik en indiskretion.

Neutral

"At spille med åbne kort"

— Being the opposite of indiskret; being transparent (positive).

Han vælger altid at spille med åbne kort.

Neutral

"At holde kortene tæt til kroppen"

— Being diskret; the opposite of indiskret.

I denne sag holder vi kortene tæt til kroppen.

Neutral

Easily Confused

indiskret vs taktløs

Both mean social errors.

Indiskret is specifically about revealing info; taktløs is general.

Det var taktløst at grine, men indiskret at fortælle om hans gæld.

indiskret vs ubehagelig

Both are negative traits.

Ubehagelig is 'unpleasant'; indiskret is 'revealing'.

Han er ubehagelig, fordi han råber, men indiskret, fordi han sladrer.

indiskret vs nysgerrig

Indiskret behavior often stems from curiosity.

Nysgerrig is wanting to know; indiskret is asking/telling when you shouldn't.

Hun er nysgerrig, men heldigvis ikke indiskret.

indiskret vs offentlig

Both involve things being known.

Offentlig is 'public' (status); indiskret is 'making something public' (action).

Det er en offentlig park, men en indiskret samtale.

indiskret vs ærlig

People claim they are just being 'honest'.

Ærlig is 'truthful'; indiskret is 'too truthful about others'.

Du er ærlig, men du er også indiskret.

Sentence Patterns

Han er [indiskret].

Han er indiskret.

Det er [indiskret] at [verb].

Det er indiskret at spørge.

En [indiskret] [noun].

En indiskret kommentar.

Det var [indiskret] af [person] at [verb].

Det var indiskret af hende at fortælle det.

De [indiskrete] [noun] [verb].

De indiskrete journalister ventede.

[Noun]s [indiskretion] [verb].

Mandens indiskretion ødelagde alt.

At virke [indiskret] i sin [noun].

At virke indiskret i sin adfærd.

[Adverb] [indiskret].

Yderst indiskret.

Word Family

Nouns

indiskretion

diskretion

Verbs

diskretionere (rare)

Adjectives

indiskret

diskret

takt

taktløs

privatliv

hemmelighed

afsløring

How to Use It

frequency

Medium-High in written Danish, Medium in spoken.

Common Mistakes

Han er indiskretion. → Han er indiskret.
Don't use the noun where you need an adjective.
En indiskret svar. → Et indiskret svar.
While 'indiskret' doesn't change for neuter, the article must match the noun (et svar).
De indiskret folk. → De indiskrete folk.
Missing the plural 'e'.
Jeg er indiskret om nyheden. → Jeg var indiskret med nyheden.
Preposition 'med' is often better than 'om' in some contexts.
Hvorfor er du så indisk? → Hvorfor er du så indiskret?
Confusing 'Indian' with 'indiscreet'.

Tips

Check the ending

Always remember the plural 'e' in 'indiskrete'. It's a common C1 exam mistake.

Use with caution

Calling a Dane 'indiskret' is a strong statement about their character. Use it carefully.

Learn the noun

Learning 'indiskretion' alongside the adjective will double your utility of the concept.

Soft 'd'

The 'd' in 'indiskret' is very soft. Listen to native speakers to get the 'soft d' right.

Journalism

If you write about politics in Danish, this is a must-know word for leaks.

Privacy

Understand that Danes value privacy highly, making this word very relevant.

vs Taktløs

Remember: Indiskret = secrets, Taktløs = bad manners.

Global use

This word works in almost any professional or personal context.

The Secret

Think of the word 'Secret' inside 'indiskret' to remember its meaning.

Polite prying

Use 'Uden at være indiskret' to ask questions you know are a bit personal.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'IN-DIS-KRET' as 'IN-DIS-SECRET' – someone who is 'in' your 'secret' but shouldn't be.

Visual Association

Imagine a person with a giant megaphone shouting into someone's ear while they are trying to hide behind a small umbrella.

Word Web

taktløs hemmelighed snakkesalig læk privat afsløre uovervejet blufærdighed

Challenge

Try to use 'indiskret' in a sentence today to describe a character in a TV show you are watching.

Word Origin

From Latin 'indiscretus', meaning 'undiscerning' or 'not separated'.

Original meaning: In Latin, it meant something that was not divided or distinguished.

Indo-European -> Latin -> French -> Danish.

Cultural Context

Be careful using this word about someone's family; it can be seen as a very personal insult.

Similar to English 'indiscreet', but in Danish, it can sometimes feel slightly more formal or 'old-fashioned' depending on the crowd.

The concept of the 'indiscreet' servant in classic Danish literature (e.g., Holberg). Journalistic leaks in the 'Tamilsagen' scandal. Modern reality TV tropes of the 'indiskret' contestant.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a party

Hvem fortalte dig det?
Det er ret indiskret.
Skal vi skifte emne?
Det er en privat sag.

In the office

Vi har tavshedspligt.
Det er fortroligt.
Vær diskret med det her.
En indiskret kollega.

Reading news

En anonym kilde.
Indiskrete udtalelser.
Lækket dokument.
Politisk skandale.

Dating

Spørg ikke om ekskærester.
Det er for tidligt at spørge om.
Det virker indiskret.
Lad os lære hinanden at kende først.

Social Media

Del ikke for meget.
Privatlivsindstillinger.
Indiskrete opslag.
Tænk før du taster.

Conversation Starters

"Har du nogensinde oplevet en person, der var meget indiskret?"

"Hvad er det mest indiskrete spørgsmål, du nogensinde er blevet stillet?"

"Mener du, at det er indiskret at tale om penge i Danmark?"

"Hvordan reagerer du, hvis en ven er indiskret med dine hemmeligheder?"

"Er sociale medier med til at gøre os mere indiskrete som mennesker?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en gang, hvor du ved et uheld kom til at være indiskret.

Beskriv forskellen på at være ærlig og at være indiskret i din kultur.

Reflektér over hvorfor diskretion er vigtigt i et venskab.

Skriv en dialog mellem to personer, hvor den ene er meget indiskret.

Hvordan ville samfundet se ud, hvis ingen var diskrete?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Ja, man kan tale om 'indiskrete spørgsmål' eller 'indiskrete detaljer'. Det beskriver ting, der afslører for meget.

Indiskret er et adjektiv (han er indiskret), mens indiskretion er et substantiv (det var en indiskretion). Navneordet bruges ofte om selve handlingen.

Det er et ord på mellemniveau til højt niveau. Det bruges både i daglig tale og i aviser, men det lyder mere dannet end 'sladretante'.

Det udtales som 'indiskret' plus en svag 'e-lyd' til sidst. Husk at trykket stadig er på 'skret'.

Ja, næsten altid. Det indebærer en mangel på respekt for privatlivet.

Sjældent. Det bruges næsten altid om ens forhold til andre menneskers informationer.

En 'pålidelig' eller 'diskret' kilde.

Ja, især i forbindelse med fortrolighedsaftaler og etik.

Ja, 'løsmundet' er en mere uformel, idiomatisk måde at sige det samme på.

Ja, børn er ofte indiskrete, fordi de ikke forstår sociale regler endnu, men man bruger ofte mildere ord om dem.