Bedeutung
To be very thrifty with money.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Poor Month' (Fattigmånaden). January is culturally known as the month when everyone 'vänder på slantarna' because the first paycheck after Christmas doesn't arrive until the 25th. The concept of 'Spara och Slösa' (Save and Waste). These were two characters in a famous educational comic for children designed to teach them to 'vända på slantarna' rather than wasting them. Lutheran heritage. There is a historical religious value placed on not being wasteful, which makes 'vända på slantarna' a virtuous rather than shameful act. Sustainability and 'Pre-loved'. Today, 'vända på slantarna' is often linked to buying second-hand (loppis), which is both economical and environmentally friendly.
Use it to be polite
If you are invited to something expensive you can't afford, saying 'Jag måste vända på slantarna just nu' sounds more responsible than just saying 'I'm broke'.
Don't use for 'heads or tails'
Remember that 'vända på slantarna' is only for money management. Use 'singla slant' for coin tosses.
Bedeutung
To be very thrifty with money.
Use it to be polite
If you are invited to something expensive you can't afford, saying 'Jag måste vända på slantarna just nu' sounds more responsible than just saying 'I'm broke'.
Don't use for 'heads or tails'
Remember that 'vända på slantarna' is only for money management. Use 'singla slant' for coin tosses.
The 'January' context
Mentioning this phrase in January will make you sound very culturally aware, as it's the national month of frugality in Sweden.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Vi har inte så mycket pengar den här månaden, så vi måste ______ på ______.
The standard idiom is 'vända på slantarna'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Which one is correct?
Option B correctly uses the figurative meaning of being frugal. Option C describes flipping a coin, which is 'singla slant'.
Match the situation with the most appropriate response.
Situation: Your friend asks why you are bringing a lunch box to work instead of eating out.
'Vända på slantarna' explains your frugality. 'Vända på kappan' means to change your opinion to suit the situation (turn your coat).
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
A: 'Tror du att vi får en löneförhöjning i år?' B: 'Knappast, företaget måste verkligen _______.'
In a context of no raises, the company is likely being frugal ('vända på slantarna').
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenVi har inte så mycket pengar den här månaden, så vi måste ______ på ______.
The standard idiom is 'vända på slantarna'.
Which one is correct?
Option B correctly uses the figurative meaning of being frugal. Option C describes flipping a coin, which is 'singla slant'.
Situation: Your friend asks why you are bringing a lunch box to work instead of eating out.
'Vända på slantarna' explains your frugality. 'Vända på kappan' means to change your opinion to suit the situation (turn your coat).
A: 'Tror du att vi får en löneförhöjning i år?' B: 'Knappast, företaget måste verkligen _______.'
In a context of no raises, the company is likely being frugal ('vända på slantarna').
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot in isolation. You mostly hear it in idioms like this one. In daily life, Swedes say 'pengar' or 'cash'.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to describe a tight project budget.
Not necessarily. It means you are being *careful* with money. You could be a millionaire who is just very thrifty.
'Varje krona' is more modern and sounds a bit more intense, like you are counting every single cent.
Usually it is neutral or even positive (responsible). However, if said with a certain tone, it can imply they are a bit stingy.
No, that is not an idiom. It would sound like you are physically turning paper bills over.
Use the verb 'singla'. 'Ska vi singla slant?'
Always include 'på'. It's part of the idiomatic structure.
Yes, it is a standard Swedish idiom used nationwide.
Yes: 'Vi vände på slantarna under hela semestern.'
Verwandte Redewendungen
Vända på varje krona
similarTo turn every crown.
Hålla i pengarna
similarTo hold onto the money.
Leva ur hand i mun
contrastTo live from hand to mouth.
Slösa med pengar
contrastTo waste money.
