"Jeg er ved at spise."

Translation: I am eating.

[zara2404]

In what scenario would you use this rather than jeg spiser?

[deactivated user]

"Har du tid til at købe ind nu?"

"Nej, jeg er ved at spise."

[stikuts]

It's like the difference between "I eat" and "I am eating." This sentence is the latter.

[Isaac_Luna_]

But in the first lesson (or one of the first), we were taught that "spiser" could either mean "is eating" or "eats". I think the difference is more subtle than can be explained by your comment.

[Olweg]

It's to emphasize the fact that it's currently happening right now, right ? I guess in english it would translate by adding a few liaison words, like "right now" or ""at the moment" or something like that ? Am I wrong ?

[HastaLaVista83]

That's not correct. Both "jeg spiser" and "jeg er ved at spise" mean "I'm eating". The latter one is to emphasize the enduring aspect of the action.

[BillyJohns23]

What's the difference between "jeg er ved at spise" and "jeg sidder og spiser"? Don't they both mean the same thing?

[Jose-Zeus]

Could ved be explained in the translation a little better? I find the words that it translates as do not correspond with the correct answer. It makes it difficult to know exactly how to use it.

[Olweg]

You can see "ved" in this situation like a "currently". I'm currently eating (right now).
In french we sometimes say "en train de [+ infinitive verb] .." (which could be translate by... "in the process of"...I guess)

[AndrBallon]

Thanks ! Now I understood

[AndrBallon]

I thought it meant " about to "

[griffous]

There is no way the word 'er' is being spoken here.; is it standard Danish to 'swallow' this whole word in this construct?

[Grace_Though]

It's extremely common. Danes tend to combine and swallow portions of, and entire words.

[daubarike]

Could it be translated as I am about to eat??

[inney]

The previous translation of "jeg sidder og spiser" is also "i am eating". Are these usually used in different situations? Or either is fine when talking of currently eating?

[estokesie]

Did you see @viktorbluhme's answer?

'
"Har du tid til at købe ind nu?"

"Nej, jeg er ved at spise."
'

That should explain it. Do you need further help?

[GigiGottwald]

I need further help. As far as I can see no one has explained the difference, if any, between "jeg er ved at spise" and "jeg sidder og spiser" yet. Both BillyJohns and inney asked two years ago. I think it is a valid question. Isn't it time someone answered?