Bedeutung
To get rid of negative feelings or thoughts.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is linked to 'skinn på näsan' (skin on the nose), a Swedish trait of being tough and not easily offended. Swedes value the ability to remain 'lagom' (balanced) even after a setback. In Swedish sports, 'skaka av sig' is a core part of 'mental träning'. Coaches emphasize that the best players aren't those who never fail, but those who shake off failures the fastest. Swedish flat hierarchies mean feedback is common. 'Skaka av sig' is used to help employees handle constructive (or non-constructive) criticism without losing motivation. With the rise of 'nätpobbar' (internet trolls), the phrase has seen a resurgence among Swedish influencers as a mantra for mental health.
The Stress Rule
Always stress 'AV'. If you stress 'skaka', you're just talking about the physical act of shaking, not the idiom.
Reflexive Agreement
Don't forget to change 'sig' to 'mig' if you are talking about yourself. 'Jag skakar av mig' is correct; 'Jag skakar av sig' is a major error.
Bedeutung
To get rid of negative feelings or thoughts.
The Stress Rule
Always stress 'AV'. If you stress 'skaka', you're just talking about the physical act of shaking, not the idiom.
Reflexive Agreement
Don't forget to change 'sig' to 'mig' if you are talking about yourself. 'Jag skakar av mig' is correct; 'Jag skakar av sig' is a major error.
Sports Talk
If you watch Swedish football or ice hockey, listen for this phrase. It's used constantly by commentators when a player misses a goal.
Physical Action
Actually shrugging your shoulders while saying this helps you remember the meaning and the reflexive nature of the verb.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.
Jag måste lära mig att skaka av ___ kritiken.
The subject is 'Jag', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'mig'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the natural Swedish sentence:
'Dålig stämning' (bad atmosphere/mood) is a perfect figurative object for this idiom.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: Jag är så ledsen för att jag förlorade matchen. B: Kom igen, ___________ och tänk på nästa gång!
'Skaka av dig det' is the standard way to encourage someone to move on.
Match the situation to the best use of 'skaka av sig'.
Situation: You just received a slightly rude email from a client.
This shows you are not letting the email ruin your day.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Skaka av sig vs. Skaka om
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenJag måste lära mig att skaka av ___ kritiken.
The subject is 'Jag', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'mig'.
Select the natural Swedish sentence:
'Dålig stämning' (bad atmosphere/mood) is a perfect figurative object for this idiom.
A: Jag är så ledsen för att jag förlorade matchen. B: Kom igen, ___________ och tänk på nästa gång!
'Skaka av dig det' is the standard way to encourage someone to move on.
Situation: You just received a slightly rude email from a client.
This shows you are not letting the email ruin your day.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but usually for shorter relationships or the initial 'shock' of a breakup. For a 10-year marriage, it might sound too light.
Both are possible, but 'skaka av sig det' is much more common and natural in modern Swedish.
Yes! That is the literal meaning. 'Jag skakade av mig dammet.'
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Glömma' is passive (you just forget). 'Skaka av sig' is active (you choose to move on).
No, use 'bli av med' for illnesses.
No, you only shake off things that are 'stuck' on you that you don't want (negative things).
'Jag kan inte skaka av mig den här känslan.'
Yes, if you are the one doing the shaking to yourself. Without 'sig', you'd need an object like 'skaka av snön'.
Only by the verb 'skaka' (to shake). The meanings are totally different.
Verwandte Redewendungen
borsta av sig
similarTo brush oneself off
skaka om
contrastTo shake up / shock
släppa taget
similarTo let go
strunta i
synonymTo not care about / ignore
bit ihop
builds onBite together / endure
