Signification
To handle your own tasks effectively.
Contexte culturel
Reflects the 'Swedish Model' of work where autonomy and trust are paramount. Micromanagement is seen as a failure of leadership. Similar to Sweden, the Finnish 'Sisu' and work ethic value the person who quietly and effectively handles their duties. The concept of 'Dugnad' (communal work) coexists with 'sköta sitt bord'. You do your part so the whole community succeeds. In modern agile environments, this phrase is used to describe 'ownership' of a specific part of a project.
Master the Pronoun
Always double-check your subject. If you say 'Han sköter mitt bord,' you're saying he's doing your job for you!
Don't be too cold
In Sweden, helping others is still valued. Don't use this phrase as an excuse to never help a colleague in need.
Signification
To handle your own tasks effectively.
Master the Pronoun
Always double-check your subject. If you say 'Han sköter mitt bord,' you're saying he's doing your job for you!
Don't be too cold
In Sweden, helping others is still valued. Don't use this phrase as an excuse to never help a colleague in need.
The 'Eget' factor
Adding 'eget' (sköta sitt eget bord) makes the boundary-setting much stronger and more personal.
Use in Emails
It's a great phrase for professional emails to confirm you are handling your part of a project.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun (mitt, ditt, sitt).
Hon är väldigt duktig på att sköta ____ bord.
The subject is 'Hon' (she), so the reflexive pronoun must be 'sitt'.
Which sentence best describes a person who is 'sköter sitt bord'?
Vad gör man om man sköter sitt bord?
The phrase means focusing on your own tasks and respecting boundaries.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Varför hjälper du inte till med budgeten? B: ________________________.
This is a neutral and clear way to explain that the task is outside your area of responsibility.
Match the situation to the tone of the phrase.
Match 'Sköt ditt eget bord!' to the correct situation.
The imperative form with 'eget' is often used to tell someone to mind their own business in a sharp way.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Pronoun Agreement
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHon är väldigt duktig på att sköta ____ bord.
The subject is 'Hon' (she), so the reflexive pronoun must be 'sitt'.
Vad gör man om man sköter sitt bord?
The phrase means focusing on your own tasks and respecting boundaries.
A: Varför hjälper du inte till med budgeten? B: ________________________.
This is a neutral and clear way to explain that the task is outside your area of responsibility.
Match 'Sköt ditt eget bord!' to the correct situation.
The imperative form with 'eget' is often used to tell someone to mind their own business in a sharp way.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNot usually. It's neutral. However, telling someone else to 'sköta sitt bord' can be perceived as sharp or dismissive.
Yes, you can tell a child to 'sköta sitt bord' regarding their homework or chores, though 'sköta sitt' is more common for kids.
'Sköta' implies ongoing management and care, while 'fixa' implies a quick fix or getting something done once.
No, it's almost always metaphorical for 'area of responsibility' in this idiom.
No, that would literally mean cleaning or organizing your physical desk. The idiom requires just 'bord'.
Yes, it's common in journalism and business reports to describe departmental responsibilities.
You could say 'Jag föredrar att fokusera på mina egna uppgifter' (I prefer to focus on my own tasks).
Yes: 'De sköter sina bord.' Note that 'sitt' becomes 'sina' and 'bord' stays 'bord' (it's the same in singular and plural indefinite).
Yes, it is a standard Swedish expression used nationwide.
It might sound a bit cold. It's better to use it for work or social boundaries with acquaintances.
Using 'sitt' for everything instead of changing it to 'mitt' or 'ditt'.
No, despite 'bord' meaning table, it has no culinary connection.
Yes, if you have a specific role in a club or hobby group.
It has historical roots but is very much alive and used daily in modern Sweden.
Expressions liées
sköta sitt
synonymTo mind one's own business.
ha rent mjöl i påsen
similarTo have a clean conscience / nothing to hide.
dra sitt strå till stacken
builds onTo contribute one's small part to a larger goal.
lägga näsan i blöt
contrastTo stick one's nose in other people's business.
hålla ställningarna
similarTo hold the fort / keep things running.
