Signification
Failing to catch a train on time.
Contexte culturel
Punctuality is a core Swedish value. Being late for a train is seen as a personal failure in time management. Swedes are early adopters of technology. The phrase is frequently used in boardrooms to push for innovation. The concept of 'fika' often causes people to almost miss their trains because they lose track of time while chatting. In Stockholm, missing a train (the metro) is no big deal because the next one comes in 3 minutes. In rural Sweden, missing the train can mean waiting 24 hours.
Use it for excuses
It is the most socially acceptable excuse for being late in Sweden, as everyone empathizes with the stress of the railway.
Don't say 'tappa'
Using 'tappa' makes you sound like you lost a toy train. Always use 'missa'.
Signification
Failing to catch a train on time.
Use it for excuses
It is the most socially acceptable excuse for being late in Sweden, as everyone empathizes with the stress of the railway.
Don't say 'tappa'
Using 'tappa' makes you sound like you lost a toy train. Always use 'missa'.
The 'Sista Tåget' variation
If you want to sound more dramatic, say 'Sista tåget har gått' to imply that there is absolutely no hope left.
Teste-toi
Fyll i rätt form av verbet 'missa'.
Jag sprang så fort jag kunde, men jag _______ tåget ändå.
The sentence is in the past tense ('sprang'), so we use the preterite form 'missade'.
Vilken mening är en metafor för en förlorad chans?
Välj rätt alternativ:
This sentence uses the phrase figuratively to describe a missed financial opportunity.
Slutför dialogen.
A: Kom du i tid till mötet? B: Nej, tyvärr. Jag _______.
You 'miss' (missar) a train, you don't 'drop' (tappar) or 'forget' (glömmer) it in this context.
Matcha situationen med rätt fras.
Du ville köpa en billig lägenhet, men nu har priserna gått upp för mycket.
This describes a missed opportunity due to timing.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJag sprang så fort jag kunde, men jag _______ tåget ändå.
The sentence is in the past tense ('sprang'), so we use the preterite form 'missade'.
Välj rätt alternativ:
This sentence uses the phrase figuratively to describe a missed financial opportunity.
A: Kom du i tid till mötet? B: Nej, tyvärr. Jag _______.
You 'miss' (missar) a train, you don't 'drop' (tappar) or 'forget' (glömmer) it in this context.
Du ville köpa en billig lägenhet, men nu har priserna gått upp för mycket.
This describes a missed opportunity due to timing.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, but 'missa bussen' is more common if it's literally a bus. Figuratively, 'missa tåget' is the stronger idiom.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Idioms usually use the definite form to refer to the 'concept' of the opportunity.
Exactly the same. Swedish just prefers trains over boats for this metaphor.
Expressions liées
Hoppa på tåget
contrastTo join a trend or movement.
Sista tåget har gått
specialized formThe very last chance is gone.
Missa bussen
similarTo miss the bus / miss a chance.
Vara på tåget
similarTo be alert and well-informed.
