Signification
Something is very bad or annoying.
Contexte culturel
Norwegians are generally reserved, but slang like 'det suger' allows for a direct, honest expression of negative emotion that bypasses social niceties. Among teenagers in Oslo, 'suger' is often intensified with English words, creating 'hybrid' slang like 'Det suger, man'. In modern tech startups in Norway, the register is flatter, and you might hear 'det suger' even among colleagues, though rarely to a client. In Northern Norway, people might use even stronger, more colorful language (nordnorsk banning) instead of 'det suger' to express the same feeling.
Watch the 'u' sound
If you pronounce the 'u' like an 'o', it might sound like 'sover' (sleeps). Keep your lips tight!
Use 'skikkelig'
To sound like a native, add 'skikkelig' (really) in the middle: 'Det suger skikkelig'.
Signification
Something is very bad or annoying.
Watch the 'u' sound
If you pronounce the 'u' like an 'o', it might sound like 'sover' (sleeps). Keep your lips tight!
Use 'skikkelig'
To sound like a native, add 'skikkelig' (really) in the middle: 'Det suger skikkelig'.
The 'Kjipt' alternative
If you're unsure if 'suger' is too strong, use 'kjipt'. It's always safe and very Norwegian.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the slang expression.
Det ______ at vi må vente i to timer.
'Det suger' is the standard way to express that waiting is annoying.
Match the situation to the most appropriate Norwegian reaction.
Situation: Your favorite team loses the final match in the last minute.
Losing a match is a classic 'sucky' situation where slang is appropriate.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb.
A: Hvordan var konserten i går? B: Den ______. Lyden var helt forferdelig.
Since the concert was yesterday, we must use the past tense (preterite) 'sugde'.
Which of these is NOT a correct way to use 'suger'?
Select the incorrect sentence:
In Norwegian, you don't 'suger på' a skill. You should say 'Jeg er dårlig til å spille piano'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Det suger'
Weather
- • Rain
- • Snow in May
- • Too much wind
Tech
- • Lag
- • Broken screen
- • No Wi-Fi
Social
- • Cancelled plans
- • Bad dates
- • Long lines
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDet ______ at vi må vente i to timer.
'Det suger' is the standard way to express that waiting is annoying.
Situation: Your favorite team loses the final match in the last minute.
Losing a match is a classic 'sucky' situation where slang is appropriate.
A: Hvordan var konserten i går? B: Den ______. Lyden var helt forferdelig.
Since the concert was yesterday, we must use the past tense (preterite) 'sugde'.
Select the incorrect sentence:
In Norwegian, you don't 'suger på' a skill. You should say 'Jeg er dårlig til å spille piano'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's not 'offensive' like a swear word, but it is very informal. It's like saying 'it sucks' in English—fine with friends, not fine with your grandma.
Yes, but it's a direct insult meaning 'you suck'. Use it only if you really mean to be mean!
The past tense is 'sugde'. Example: 'Festen sugde' (The party sucked).
Yes, but it's most common in cities and among younger people. Older people might find it a bit 'slangy'.
No. Use 'Det er uheldig' or 'Dette er problematisk' instead.
Like in English, the verb 'å suge' can have a sexual meaning, but in the phrase 'det suger', that meaning is almost never intended.
'Det suger' is stronger and more frustrated. 'Det er kjipt' is more like 'that's a shame'.
If you say 'Han suger', it means 'He is terrible (at something)'. It's quite harsh.
Yes: 'Det var leit' or 'Det var synd'.
Add 'skikkelig', 'helt', or 'total'. 'Det suger totalt!'
Expressions liées
det er kjipt
similarit's a bummer
det stinker
similarit stinks
det er ræva
synonymit's ass/terrible
å suge noe av eget bryst
contrastto make something up
