Significado
To leave an opportunity available for later.
Contexto cultural
In Norwegian business culture, 'å holde døra åpen' is a sign of 'smidighet' (agility/flexibility). It is often preferred over a hard 'no' to maintain long-term networking possibilities. While the phrase exists in English, Americans might be more likely to say 'keep my options open'. The 'door' metaphor is understood but can sometimes sound slightly more formal than in Norway. Directly translating this might be understood, but Japanese culture values 'aimai' (ambiguity) even more. They might use more indirect language to avoid the finality of a closed door. Hospitality is central, and 'keeping the door open' is often taken literally as well as figuratively. It is a point of honor to never fully close a door on a guest or a potential ally.
Use 'på gløtt' for nuance
If you want to sound more cautious, use 'å la døra stå på gløtt' instead of 'åpen'.
Don't say 'åpnet'
Remember to use the adjective 'åpen', not the verb form 'åpnet'.
Significado
To leave an opportunity available for later.
Use 'på gløtt' for nuance
If you want to sound more cautious, use 'å la døra stå på gløtt' instead of 'åpen'.
Don't say 'åpnet'
Remember to use the adjective 'åpen', not the verb form 'åpnet'.
Business context
In a salary negotiation, this is your best friend. It shows you are interested but have value elsewhere.
The 'Maybe' Culture
In Norway, 'holding the door open' is often a polite way to say 'I'm not interested but I don't want to be rude.' Read the room!
Teste-se
Fyll inn riktig form av verbet 'å holde'.
Vi har _______ døra åpen for ham i flere måneder nå.
We need the past participle 'holdt' because of the auxiliary verb 'har'.
Hvilken setning bruker uttrykket riktig?
Du vil ikke binde deg til én plan ennå.
This correctly expresses the desire to keep options available using the right adjective form.
Fullfør dialogen slik at den høres naturlig ut.
A: 'Takk for intervjuet. Vi ringer deg neste uke.' B: 'Takk! Jeg har et annet tilbud, men...'
This is a polite way to tell an employer you are still interested despite having other options.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosVi har _______ døra åpen for ham i flere måneder nå.
We need the past participle 'holdt' because of the auxiliary verb 'har'.
Du vil ikke binde deg til én plan ennå.
This correctly expresses the desire to keep options available using the right adjective form.
A: 'Takk for intervjuet. Vi ringer deg neste uke.' B: 'Takk! Jeg har et annet tilbud, men...'
This is a polite way to tell an employer you are still interested despite having other options.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, 'døren' is the masculine/common gender form and is perfectly correct, especially in formal writing.
Absolutely. 'Kan du holde døra åpen?' is what you say when your hands are full of groceries.
It can. It might sound like you are keeping the person as a 'backup plan'. Use with caution.
The opposite is 'å lukke døra' (to close the door) or 'å låse døra' (to lock the door).
Yes, in Nynorsk it would be 'å halde døra ope'.
Yes: 'De holdt døra åpen for meg.'
Very. You will often see 'Regjeringen holder døra åpen for...' regarding new laws or budgets.
You say 'å holde alle dører åpne'.
Not really, but 'å ikke brenne broer' is a more informal/intense related concept.
No, the idiom is specific to 'dør'. You wouldn't say 'holde vinduet åpent' for an opportunity.
Frases relacionadas
å la døra stå på gløtt
similarTo leave the door slightly ajar.
å slå inn åpne dører
relatedTo argue for something everyone already agrees with.
å lukke døra
contrastTo end a possibility.
å ha en fot innenfor
builds onTo have a foot in the door.
å brenne broer
contrastTo burn bridges.
