Signification
Being distracted or daydreaming.
Contexte culturel
Respecting the 'private bubble' is a core social norm. If someone is in their own world on the bus, it's considered polite not to disturb them. In American culture, being 'in your own world' in a meeting might be seen as a lack of 'team spirit' or engagement. There is a specific term 'Otaku' often associated with being in one's own world of hobbies, which can be both a point of pride and a social stigma. The 'flâneur'—a person who walks the city lost in thought—is a celebrated cultural figure, much like being in one's own world.
The 'Sin' Rule
Always check who the subject is before choosing the possessive pronoun. If it's 'Jeg', use 'min'!
Don't be rude
While the phrase is neutral, saying it to someone's face while they are talking to you can be slightly sarcastic.
Signification
Being distracted or daydreaming.
The 'Sin' Rule
Always check who the subject is before choosing the possessive pronoun. If it's 'Jeg', use 'min'!
Don't be rude
While the phrase is neutral, saying it to someone's face while they are talking to you can be slightly sarcastic.
Add 'Helt'
Adding 'helt' (completely) before 'i' makes you sound much more like a native speaker: 'Han er helt i sin egen verden.'
The 'Bubble' alternative
If you are talking to younger Norwegians, 'i bobla' is very trendy and means the same thing.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct possessive pronoun (min, din, sin).
Jeg hørte ikke hva du sa, jeg var i ____ egen verden.
The subject is 'Jeg' (I), so the possessive must be 'min' (my).
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'They are in their own world'?
In Norwegian, 'sin' is used for 'their' when it refers back to the subject 'De'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Lise is painting and doesn't notice her phone ringing.
This is the standard idiom for being focused on a task.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hallo? Er du der? B: Å, unnskyld! Jeg ____.
B is talking about themselves in the past tense.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg hørte ikke hva du sa, jeg var i ____ egen verden.
The subject is 'Jeg' (I), so the possessive must be 'min' (my).
How do you say 'They are in their own world'?
In Norwegian, 'sin' is used for 'their' when it refers back to the subject 'De'.
Lise is painting and doesn't notice her phone ringing.
This is the standard idiom for being focused on a task.
A: Hallo? Er du der? B: Å, unnskyld! Jeg ____.
B is talking about themselves in the past tense.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNot necessarily. It can describe deep focus or creativity, but it can also mean someone is being rude by not listening.
Only if you mean he is in *another* man's world, which sounds very strange. Use 'sin' to refer back to the subject.
'Være' is for a moment (right now), while 'leve' is for a lifestyle or personality trait.
It is always 'egen' because 'verden' is a masculine noun.
Yes, if you are describing how you focus deeply on tasks, but be careful not to sound like you ignore people.
Jeg er i min egen verden.
Yes: 'De er i sine egne verdener' (They are in their own worlds).
Yes, 'å drømme seg bort' is a close synonym.
It's better to use 'fjern' (distant) or 'full' (drunk), but 'i sin egen verden' can work if they are staring into space.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Å være til stede (to be present) or å følge med (to pay attention).
No, that is not a standard idiom in Norwegian.
Expressions liées
å være i bobla si
similarTo be in one's bubble.
å drømme seg bort
similarTo dream oneself away.
å være helt fraværende
synonymTo be completely absent/distracted.
å ha beina på jorda
contrastTo have one's feet on the ground.
å være til stede
contrastTo be present.
