14 Hilarious Swedish Idioms
Idioms exist in every language and have their way of creating a challenge when you are learning a new language. That said, they’re also incredibly useful and often quite hilarious, especially to newcomers!
Here, we have put together a list of Swedish Idioms and their translations that hopefully will make you laugh your socks off!
1. Tagga ner
In Sweden, people won’t ask you to “cool down.” Instead, they’ll tell you to “take your spikes down.”
2. Ingen fara på taket
“No danger on the roof!” is actually the Swedish way of saying “No worries”.
3. Lätt som en plätt
When something is “effortless” in Sweden, it’s “easy as a pancake.”
4. Du har satt din sista potatis
Even though Swedes are known to avoid conflict, they also have a breaking point. Instead of saying “I’ve had enough of you!” they might say, “You’ve planted your last potato!”
5. Smaken är som baken, delad
When people disagree, they might say “It’s a matter of taste.” Your Swedish friend, however, will likely say, “Taste is like a rear end, divided!”
6. Har inte alla hästar hemma
When Swedes say someone “doesn’t have all their horses at home,” they’re implying that the person isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.
7. Ana ugglor i mossen
In Sweden, if you suspect something isn’t quite right, you are “sensing owls in the bog”.
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8. Tala om trollen
Trolls are common in Scandinavian folklore, so instead of “Speak of the devil,” Swedes say, “Speak of the trolls.”
9. Skita i det blå skåpet
Instead of telling you that you’ve embarrassed yourself, a Swede might say, “You’ve taken a sh** in the blue cupboard.”
10. Kasta pärlor åt svin
In Sweden, if you give away something valuable and it’s unappreciated, you’re “throwing pearls to swine.”
11. Skogstokig
Swedes aren’t furious, they are “forest-crazy!”
12. Lägga benen på ryggen
In Sweden, you don’t “run for it”, you “put your legs on your back.”
13. Lägg ägg!
“Lay eggs!” means “No way!” in Swedish.
14. Pang på rödbetan
Last but not least, Swedes don’t get “right to the point.” Instead, they’re “bang on the beetroot!”