Signification
To see nothing of someone or something.
Contexte culturel
Punctuality is a core Swedish value. Not 'seeing the smoke' of someone who is 5 minutes late is a common (if slightly hyperbolic) way to express that they are missing. In Swedish 'fika' culture, if someone misses the coffee break without telling anyone, colleagues might jokingly say they haven't seen the smoke of them. Swedes often use this phrase when dealing with 'Försäkringskassan' or other authorities when payments are delayed. The phrase appears frequently in Swedish crime noir (like Stieg Larsson's books) to describe suspects who have vanished.
The 'Av' Rule
Always use 'av'. If you use 'från', Swedes will understand you, but they will know you are translating from English in your head.
Don't use for fire
If there is a real fire and you can't see the smoke because of a wall, just say 'Jag ser inte röken'. Adding 'av elden' makes it sound like an idiom.
Signification
To see nothing of someone or something.
The 'Av' Rule
Always use 'av'. If you use 'från', Swedes will understand you, but they will know you are translating from English in your head.
Don't use for fire
If there is a real fire and you can't see the smoke because of a wall, just say 'Jag ser inte röken'. Adding 'av elden' makes it sound like an idiom.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jag har inte sett röken ___ mina nycklar.
The idiom always uses the preposition 'av'.
Which sentence is a correct use of the idiom?
Choose the most natural sentence:
It requires the definite singular 'röken' and the preposition 'av'.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: You lent a book to a friend 3 months ago and they haven't returned it.
This expresses that the book is missing and hasn't been seen.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kommer chefen till mötet? B: Nej, jag har faktiskt inte ______.
This is the standard way to say he hasn't shown up.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJag har inte sett röken ___ mina nycklar.
The idiom always uses the preposition 'av'.
Choose the most natural sentence:
It requires the definite singular 'röken' and the preposition 'av'.
Situation: You lent a book to a friend 3 months ago and they haven't returned it.
This expresses that the book is missing and hasn't been seen.
A: Kommer chefen till mötet? B: Nej, jag har faktiskt inte ______.
This is the standard way to say he hasn't shown up.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsYes, it's actually very common to use it when someone you find annoying finally leaves or doesn't show up.
Not inherently, but it expresses frustration. Use it with friends or to complain, but maybe not to your boss about their own absence.
Yes! It's perfect for pets that have gone missing or are hiding.
Expressions liées
inte se skymten av
synonymNot see a glimpse of.
gå upp i rök
similarTo vanish into thin air.
lysa med sin frånvaro
similarTo be conspicuous by one's absence.
som bortblåst
similarGone with the wind / vanished.
