Bedeutung
Describing the weather.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Swedes have a very high threshold for what constitutes 'cold'. You might see people wearing shorts in 10°C if the sun is out, but they will still say 'Det är kallt ute' as a way to bond. Weather is the primary topic for 'fika' (coffee breaks). It is considered a neutral and polite way to fill silence without being intrusive. In the north, 'kallt' might mean -30°C. If it's only -5°C, they might say 'Det är milt ute' (It's mild out), which can confuse learners. There is a strong belief in 'utegång' (going out). Even if it's cold, babies often nap outside in strollers (well-wrapped). Parents will say 'Det är kallt ute' while checking the baby's blankets.
The 'T' Rule
Always remember the 't' in 'kallt'. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Small Talk Mastery
Add 'verkligen' (really) to sound more like a native: 'Det är verkligen kallt ute!'
Bedeutung
Describing the weather.
The 'T' Rule
Always remember the 't' in 'kallt'. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Small Talk Mastery
Add 'verkligen' (really) to sound more like a native: 'Det är verkligen kallt ute!'
Don't be 'Kall'
Avoid saying 'Jag är kall' unless you want people to think you have no emotions!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing adjective with the correct ending.
Det är ______ (kall) ute idag.
Because the subject is 'det', the adjective must be in its neuter form, which adds a '-t'.
Which sentence is the correct way to say 'I am cold' (I feel cold)?
How do you say you feel cold?
'Jag fryser' is the idiomatic way to express that you personally feel cold.
Complete the small talk dialogue.
A: Hej! Vilket väder vi har. B: Ja, ___________.
'Det är kallt ute' is the standard response to a comment about the weather.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'Det är svinkallt ute'?
'Svinkallt' is informal/slang and fits a casual, cold situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDet är ______ (kall) ute idag.
Because the subject is 'det', the adjective must be in its neuter form, which adds a '-t'.
How do you say you feel cold?
'Jag fryser' is the idiomatic way to express that you personally feel cold.
A: Hej! Vilket väder vi har. B: Ja, ___________.
'Det är kallt ute' is the standard response to a comment about the weather.
Where would you most likely hear 'Det är svinkallt ute'?
'Svinkallt' is informal/slang and fits a casual, cold situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenYes, in very casual speech or as an exclamation, you can drop 'Det är'.
'Ute' is more common in speech. 'Utomhus' is slightly more formal and literally means 'outside the house'.
Because it refers to 'det', which is a neuter pronoun. Adjectives must match the gender.
Usually anything below 10-15°C, but it's subjective!
Yes, many Swedish songs use it to set a winter mood or as a metaphor for loneliness.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Det blåser
similarIt is windy
Det snöar
similarIt is snowing
Det är varmt ute
contrastIt is warm outside
Klä på dig!
builds onDress yourself! / Put clothes on!
