Signification
Something very easy to do.
Contexte culturel
Danes use this phrase to adhere to 'Janteloven,' avoiding sounding like they are bragging about their skills. Norway has a nearly identical phrase 'Det er en smal sak,' showing the deep linguistic ties between the two countries. Swedes use 'Det är en smal sak' as well, though 'Det är ingen konst' (It is no art) is also very popular. In international Danish companies, this phrase is used to signal 'can-do' attitude without the aggressive 'hustle' culture found elsewhere.
Use it for favors
It's the best way to make people feel comfortable asking you for help.
Don't overdo it
If you say everything is 'en smal sag,' you might come across as arrogant or like you aren't taking things seriously.
Signification
Something very easy to do.
Use it for favors
It's the best way to make people feel comfortable asking you for help.
Don't overdo it
If you say everything is 'en smal sag,' you might come across as arrogant or like you aren't taking things seriously.
The Modesty Rule
Use it to deflect compliments. If someone says 'You are so good at Danish!', say 'Det er en smal sag med en god lærer!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Bare rolig, det er en ____ sag at hjælpe dig.
The idiom is specifically 'en smal sag'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Sag' is common gender, so we use 'en' and 'smal'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Kan du vise mig hvordan man bruger denne app? B: Ja, selvfølgelig! ________.
'Det er en smal sag' is the standard way to say 'no problem/it's easy'.
Match the situation to the best use of the phrase.
In which situation is 'Det er en smal sag' most appropriate?
It is used for simple, helpful tasks.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesBare rolig, det er en ____ sag at hjælpe dig.
The idiom is specifically 'en smal sag'.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Sag' is common gender, so we use 'en' and 'smal'.
A: Kan du vise mig hvordan man bruger denne app? B: Ja, selvfølgelig! ________.
'Det er en smal sag' is the standard way to say 'no problem/it's easy'.
In which situation is 'Det er en smal sag' most appropriate?
It is used for simple, helpful tasks.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly acceptable in a professional context to show that a task is manageable.
It is always 'en smal sag' because 'sag' is a common gender noun.
No, 'smal' means narrow, but in this idiom, it functions like 'small' or 'easy'.
Yes, you can use it in the past tense to describe a task you already finished.
In spoken Danish, 'det er nemt' is more frequent, but 'en smal sag' is more idiomatic and natural-sounding.
No, you cannot say 'Han er en smal sag.' It only applies to tasks or situations.
No, it is a standard idiom used by all age groups.
You could say 'en svær opgave' (a difficult task) or 'en hård nød at knække' (a hard nut to crack).
No, that would be considered rude or dismissive.
Technically 'smalle sager' exists, but it is almost never used as an idiom.
Expressions liées
Det er ingen sag
synonymIt is no problem.
Let som en leg
similarEasy as a game.
Ingen ko på isen
similarNo cow on the ice.
En hård nød at knække
contrastA hard nut to crack.
Barnemad
synonymBaby food.
