Significado
To be too modest about one's abilities.
Contexto cultural
The idiom is often used as a direct challenge to 'Janteloven'. While Janteloven tells you 'don't think you are better than us', this idiom tells you 'don't hide that you are better at this specific thing'. Danes use the exact same phrase ('at sætte sit lys under en skæppe'). It is perhaps even more common in Danish public debate regarding their own national identity and modesty. In American culture, which values self-promotion and 'selling yourself', this idiom is often used in religious contexts or to describe someone who is exceptionally humble by American standards. Because this is a direct quote from Jesus, it serves as a universal metaphor across Christian-influenced cultures for the responsibility to use one's God-given talents.
Use it in Job Interviews
If an interviewer asks about your weaknesses, you can say you sometimes 'tend to set your light under a bushel' but are working on being more visible. It sounds humble yet professional.
Don't say 'skje'
Remember it's 'skjeppe' (bushel), not 'skje' (spoon). Saying 'spoon' will make native speakers laugh as it creates a very funny mental image.
Significado
To be too modest about one's abilities.
Use it in Job Interviews
If an interviewer asks about your weaknesses, you can say you sometimes 'tend to set your light under a bushel' but are working on being more visible. It sounds humble yet professional.
Don't say 'skje'
Remember it's 'skjeppe' (bushel), not 'skje' (spoon). Saying 'spoon' will make native speakers laugh as it creates a very funny mental image.
The Jante Connection
When using this in Norway, you are often commenting on a deep cultural trait. Use it with empathy when talking about others.
Ponte a prueba
Fyll ut de manglende ordene i idiomet.
Du er så flink til å tegne, så ikke sett ditt ___ under en ___!
Idiomet er 'å sette sitt lys under en skjeppe'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for dette uttrykket?
Når bør du si 'Ikke sett ditt lys under en skjeppe'?
Uttrykket brukes for å oppmuntre beskjedne mennesker.
Fullfør dialogen med riktig form av idiomet.
Leder: 'Hvorfor fortalte du ikke at du snakker flytende japansk?' Ansatt: 'Jeg tenkte ikke det var relevant.' Leder: 'I dette firmaet må du ikke ___.'
Siden lederen snakker til 'du', må det være 'ditt lys'.
Match idiomet med riktig betydning.
Hva er den beste definisjonen av 'å sette sitt lys under en skjeppe'?
Det handler om å dekke til sin egen 'lysende' dyktighet.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosDu er så flink til å tegne, så ikke sett ditt ___ under en ___!
Idiomet er 'å sette sitt lys under en skjeppe'.
Når bør du si 'Ikke sett ditt lys under en skjeppe'?
Uttrykket brukes for å oppmuntre beskjedne mennesker.
Leder: 'Hvorfor fortalte du ikke at du snakker flytende japansk?' Ansatt: 'Jeg tenkte ikke det var relevant.' Leder: 'I dette firmaet må du ikke ___.'
Siden lederen snakker til 'du', må det være 'ditt lys'.
Hva er den beste definisjonen av 'å sette sitt lys under en skjeppe'?
Det handler om å dekke til sin egen 'lysende' dyktighet.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is widely understood, though more common in writing and formal speech than in casual slang. It is a 'classic' idiom.
Yes, just change the pronoun: 'De satte sine lys under en skjeppe.'
Not at all. It is usually seen as a compliment to someone's talent, even if you are critiquing their modesty.
It's an old wooden bucket used for measuring grain. It's not used in modern life except in this phrase.
Yes, 'å skjule sitt lys under en skjeppe' is a very common and acceptable variation.
Yes, it is almost always reflexive. You wouldn't usually set someone else's light under a bushel.
Very much so. It's a common way to talk about marketing, branding, and personal visibility.
No, it is a standard national idiom used across all dialects.
It's better for significant talents. Using it for 'being good at making toast' would be ironic or sarcastic.
It starts with the 'sh' sound (skj-), followed by a short 'e', a long 'p' sound, and a weak 'e' at the end.
Frases relacionadas
å være beskjeden
similarTo be modest
Janteloven
contrastThe Law of Jante (social code of humility)
å stikke seg ut
contrastTo stand out
å selge seg selv
builds onTo sell oneself (promote oneself)
