Meaning
“Når man taler om solen, så skinner den” literally translates to “When you talk about the sun, it starts to shine.” This expression is similar to the Japanese phrase “When you talk about someone, their shadow appears,” meaning that the person who is being talked about suddenly shows up. It’s a lighthearted way to describe the situation where the person being discussed unexpectedly appears.
In English, the phrase “Speak of the devil and he shall appear” holds the same meaning as this Danish expression. Expressions that derive from natural phenomena or superstitions are common themes that appear across various cultures.
Origin
This expression combines natural phenomena with human behavior. Just as the sun unexpectedly appears, so does a person who is the subject of a conversation. In Danish culture, people often view nature and daily life as closely connected, and the chance occurrence of the sun appearing is paralleled with the sudden arrival of someone being talked about. This type of metaphor, based on nature, is common in Danish expressions.
Conclusion
“Når man taler om solen, så skinner den” is a Danish expression meaning “When you talk about the sun, it starts to shine.” It conveys the idea of someone showing up just as they are being talked about, in a bright and optimistic way. This phrase reflects the Danish tendency to use natural phenomena as metaphors, and it offers an interesting comparison to similar expressions in English and Japanese.
