Signification
To do nothing useful.
Contexte culturel
The 'Protestant Work Ethic' is strong in Sweden. Being 'flitig' (diligent) is a virtue, which makes 'slå dank' a common, albeit mild, criticism. Younger generations use 'slå dank' less than 'degat' or 'chilla', but they still understand it perfectly when used by older generations. In Swedish offices, 'fika' is a structured break. 'Slå dank' is what happens *outside* of those structured breaks when you should be working. The phrase appears in many classic Swedish novels (like those by Strindberg) to describe the 'flâneur' or the idle upper class.
Use with 'sitta' or 'gå'
It sounds most natural as 'sitta och slå dank' or 'gå och slå dank'.
Don't use with 'en'
Never say 'slå en dank'. It's a common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
To do nothing useful.
Use with 'sitta' or 'gå'
It sounds most natural as 'sitta och slå dank' or 'gå och slå dank'.
Don't use with 'en'
Never say 'slå en dank'. It's a common mistake for English speakers.
Self-deprecation
Use it about yourself to sound more humble when you've been unproductive.
The 'Fika' distinction
Remember: Fika is a social institution; slå dank is just wasting time.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'slå'.
Igår ______ jag dank hela dagen eftersom det var så varmt.
The sentence refers to 'Igår' (yesterday), so the past tense 'slog' is required.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Välj rätt mening:
The idiom is 'slå dank' without articles or definite endings.
Match the situation with the most likely use of 'slå dank'.
Situation: Du ser din kollega titta på YouTube istället för att skriva en rapport.
This is a classic 'slå dank' scenario—unproductive activity during work hours.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Varför har du inte diskat? B: Jag vet inte, jag har bara gått och ______.
The auxiliary verb 'har' requires the supine form 'slagit'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Slå dank vs. Vila vs. Slappa
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIgår ______ jag dank hela dagen eftersom det var så varmt.
The sentence refers to 'Igår' (yesterday), so the past tense 'slog' is required.
Välj rätt mening:
The idiom is 'slå dank' without articles or definite endings.
Situation: Du ser din kollega titta på YouTube istället för att skriva en rapport.
This is a classic 'slå dank' scenario—unproductive activity during work hours.
A: Varför har du inte diskat? B: Jag vet inte, jag har bara gått och ______.
The auxiliary verb 'har' requires the supine form 'slagit'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt can be if you say it to someone else ('Sluta slå dank!'), but it's fine when used about yourself.
Historically, a small coin or candle. Today, it has no meaning outside this phrase.
Yes, 'slog dank'. Example: 'Igår slog jag bara dank.'
'Chilla' is positive and modern. 'Slå dank' is slightly more negative or old-fashioned.
Yes, but be careful. It implies you aren't doing your job.
Both are correct. 'Slå' is more common for sitting still; 'driva' for wandering around.
No, it's a complete coincidence! The Swedish 'dank' comes from Low German.
Like the 'nk' in 'bank' or 'think'.
Yes, very common in everyday Swedish.
It's rare today, but you might see it in older books.
'Att ligga i' or 'att arbeta flitigt'.
Yes, parents often say it to their children.
Expressions liées
driva dank
synonymTo wander aimlessly.
rulla tummarna
similarTo twiddle one's thumbs.
ligga på latsidan
similarTo be lazy.
slappa
similarTo chill/relax.
göra rätt för sig
contrastTo do one's duty/work hard.
ligga i
contrastTo work hard/persist.
