Bedeutung
It is very easy to do.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase reflects the Norwegian value of 'mestring' (mastery). Being 'handy' and able to solve practical problems is highly respected. In meetings, using this phrase can signal that a project is low-risk and won't require extra resources. It is often used to minimize one's own effort to avoid making the recipient of a favor feel indebted (balancing Janteloven). Teachers use it to encourage students, though they must be careful not to make students feel bad if they actually find the task hard.
The 'Ingen' Variation
To say something is NOT easy, use 'ingen smal sak'. It sounds much more natural than 'ikke en smal sak'.
Gender Check
Remember: 'sak' is feminine/masculine. Never say 'smalt sak'.
Bedeutung
It is very easy to do.
The 'Ingen' Variation
To say something is NOT easy, use 'ingen smal sak'. It sounds much more natural than 'ikke en smal sak'.
Gender Check
Remember: 'sak' is feminine/masculine. Never say 'smalt sak'.
Humility is Key
Use this phrase to be polite when someone thanks you. It makes you sound helpful and modest.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Å vaske opp etter middagen er ____ ____ ____.
The standard idiom is 'en smal sak'.
Which of these is the most natural response to 'Takk for hjelpen!'?
Takk for at du bar posene mine!
'En smal sak' is a common polite response to being thanked for a small favor.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
Situation: You are an expert at Excel and your colleague asks for a simple formula.
Since you are an expert and the task is simple, 'smal sak' is perfect.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kan du hjelpe meg med leksene? B: Ja, ____ ____ ____ ____ ____.
The idiom fits perfectly here to show the task is easy.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Smal Sak vs. Hard Nøtt
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenÅ vaske opp etter middagen er ____ ____ ____.
The standard idiom is 'en smal sak'.
Takk for at du bar posene mine!
'En smal sak' is a common polite response to being thanked for a small favor.
Situation: You are an expert at Excel and your colleague asks for a simple formula.
Since you are an expert and the task is simple, 'smal sak' is perfect.
A: Kan du hjelpe meg med leksene? B: Ja, ____ ____ ____ ____ ____.
The idiom fits perfectly here to show the task is easy.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, you cannot say 'Han er en smal sak'. It only refers to tasks or situations.
Yes, it's perfect for professional but friendly emails to colleagues.
'Enkel' is a plain adjective (easy). 'Smal sak' is a more colorful, native-sounding idiom.
Only in this specific idiom. In other contexts, 'smal' means narrow.
Yes, but it is written 'ei smal sak'.
No, that is not an idiom. Use 'en hard nøtt' or 'vanskelig' instead.
No, it is a standard idiom used by all age groups.
Use the past tense: 'Det var en smal sak'.
Avoid it. It sounds dismissive of feelings.
Technically 'smale saker', but the idiom is almost always used in the singular.
Verwandte Redewendungen
lett som en plett
synonymEasy as a pancake
barnemat
synonymChild's food
ingen sak
similarNo matter
en hard nøtt å knekke
contrastA hard nut to crack
å gå som smurt
builds onTo go like it's greased
