A1 Idiom Informal

Att slå dank

To loaf around

Significado

Not doing anything productive.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The concept of 'duktig' (being capable/diligent) is very strong. Slå dank is the opposite of being duktig, which is why it's often used as a mild reproach. Transparency is valued, but so is the 'fika' culture. However, 'slå dank' is distinct from fika; fika is a social institution, while slå dank is seen as individual laziness. The idiom reflects the history of Stockholm's working class and street life in the 18th century, where 'dank' games were a sign of the 'unemployed' classes. In the age of smartphones, 'slå dank' is often used to describe 'doomscrolling' or aimless internet browsing.

💡

Use it for self-deprecation

It's very charming to use this about yourself to show you don't take yourself too seriously. 'Idag har jag verkligen bara slagit dank!'

⚠️

Watch your tense

Since 'slå' is irregular, learners often say 'slådde'. Always remember: slå, slår, slog, slagit.

Significado

Not doing anything productive.

💡

Use it for self-deprecation

It's very charming to use this about yourself to show you don't take yourself too seriously. 'Idag har jag verkligen bara slagit dank!'

⚠️

Watch your tense

Since 'slå' is irregular, learners often say 'slådde'. Always remember: slå, slår, slog, slagit.

🎯

The 'Sitta och...' pattern

Swedes often pair this with 'sitta' (sit) or 'stå' (stand). 'Han sitter bara och slår dank.' This makes you sound much more native.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'slå'.

Igår ______ jag dank hela dagen för att jag var så trött.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: slog

The sentence starts with 'Igår' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense form 'slog'.

Which sentence is a correct use of the idiom?

Choose the natural Swedish sentence:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Han har slagit dank i tre timmar nu.

This uses the correct supine form 'slagit' without an article or pluralization.

Match the situation to the most likely phrase.

A manager sees an employee playing games on their phone.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Sitter du och slår dank?

This is a common way to confront someone who is being unproductive.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Ska vi gå till gymmet? B: Nej, jag orkar inte. Jag vill bara ______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: slå dank

The speaker says they don't have the energy ('orkar inte') and wants to do nothing.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'slå'. Fill Blank A2

Igår ______ jag dank hela dagen för att jag var så trött.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: slog

The sentence starts with 'Igår' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense form 'slog'.

Which sentence is a correct use of the idiom? Choose B1

Choose the natural Swedish sentence:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Han har slagit dank i tre timmar nu.

This uses the correct supine form 'slagit' without an article or pluralization.

Match the situation to the most likely phrase. situation_matching A1

A manager sees an employee playing games on their phone.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Sitter du och slår dank?

This is a common way to confront someone who is being unproductive.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Ska vi gå till gymmet? B: Nej, jag orkar inte. Jag vill bara ______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: slå dank

The speaker says they don't have the energy ('orkar inte') and wants to do nothing.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

5 preguntas

No, not at all. In this context, it's just an old word for a coin. It has no connection to the English slang 'dank' (meaning high quality or damp).

Only with colleagues you know well. If you say it to your boss about yourself, it might sound like you're admitting to being lazy.

'Chilla' is modern and usually positive. 'Slå dank' is older and often implies you are neglecting something you should be doing.

No, never use 'en'. It is always just 'slå dank'.

Not really. It usually implies a longer period of time, like an afternoon or a whole day.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

driva omkring

synonym

To wander aimlessly.

🔗

lalla runt

similar

To potter around aimlessly.

🔗

gå och skrota

similar

To potter around doing small things.

🔄

ligga på latsidan

synonym

To be lazy (literally: to lie on the lazy side).

🔗

arbeta häcken av sig

contrast

To work one's butt off.

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