Signification
To be well-prepared.
Contexte culturel
In Swedish 'flat' hierarchies, a manager won't usually say 'I command you'. They will ask 'Har du koll?' as a way to ensure responsibility is taken without being authoritarian. Among younger Swedes, 'ha koll' is often linked to social capital—knowing the right music, the right clothes, or the latest memes. Swedes value 'förutsägbarhet' (predictability). Having 'koll' is seen as a civic duty to keep things running smoothly. Sweden is one of the most digitized countries. 'Ha koll' is now frequently used regarding BankID, digital mail (Kivra), and apps.
Use 'Stenkoll' for extra points
If you want to sound really Swedish, use 'stenkoll' (stone-check) when you are 100% sure. It's a very common and expressive word.
Don't forget 'PÅ'
The most common mistake is forgetting the preposition 'på'. Always link 'koll' to the object with 'på'.
Signification
To be well-prepared.
Use 'Stenkoll' for extra points
If you want to sound really Swedish, use 'stenkoll' (stone-check) when you are 100% sure. It's a very common and expressive word.
Don't forget 'PÅ'
The most common mistake is forgetting the preposition 'på'. Always link 'koll' to the object with 'på'.
The Humble 'Dålig Koll'
Swedes often say 'Jag har lite dålig koll' even if they know a fair amount. It's a way to be humble and avoid being blamed if they are wrong.
Koll vs. Kolla
Remember: 'Koll' is the noun (knowledge), 'Kolla' is the verb (to look/check).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jag har inte så bra koll ___ den nya tekniken.
The idiom 'ha koll' always takes the preposition 'på'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I know what's going on' in a casual Swedish office?
How do you say you are informed?
'Ha koll på läget' is the most idiomatic and natural choice.
Match the 'koll' variation with its meaning.
Match the following:
Swedish uses prefixes and adjectives to change the intensity of 'koll'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vet du när vi ska träffas? B: Nej, jag har faktiskt ______.
The context 'Nej' (No) implies the speaker does not know, so 'ingen koll' is correct.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Koll vs. Kontroll
Common 'Koll' Collocations
Work
- • Budgeten
- • Deadline
- • Projektet
Social
- • Festen
- • Vännerna
- • Snacket
Practical
- • Nycklarna
- • Tiderna
- • Vägen
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJag har inte så bra koll ___ den nya tekniken.
The idiom 'ha koll' always takes the preposition 'på'.
How do you say you are informed?
'Ha koll på läget' is the most idiomatic and natural choice.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Swedish uses prefixes and adjectives to change the intensity of 'koll'.
A: Vet du när vi ska träffas? B: Nej, jag har faktiskt ______.
The context 'Nej' (No) implies the speaker does not know, so 'ingen koll' is correct.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! It's very friendly and common. However, saying 'Har du ingen koll?!' (Don't you have any clue?!) can be rude depending on your tone.
Yes, it's actually great for interviews to show you are 'on top of things' in a modern, professional way. 'Jag har bra koll på branschen' sounds very good.
'Veta' is just to know a fact. 'Ha koll' implies you understand the context and can manage the information.
It's better to say 'ha bra koll' or 'ha mycket bra koll'. 'Mycket koll' sounds slightly unnatural.
Yes, it is a universal Swedish expression used from Malmö to Kiruna.
Yes, you can say 'Systemet har koll på alla användare' (The system keeps track of all users).
The most common opposites are 'ha dålig koll' or 'ha noll koll'.
Yes, it is listed in the SAOL (Swedish Academy Dictionary) as an informal noun.
Yes, it means 'Are you keeping an eye on him?' or 'Do you know what he's up to?'.
Prepositions are often arbitrary in idioms. In this case, 'på' suggests a surface or oversight, which fits the meaning of 'koll'.
Expressions liées
ha stenkoll
specialized formTo have absolute, perfect knowledge.
ha koll på läget
synonymTo have a handle on the situation.
hålla koll
similarTo keep an eye on something.
tappa kollen
contrastTo lose track of things.
kolla upp
builds onTo check something out / research.
