Signification
Misplacing one's keys.
Contexte culturel
Losing keys to a rental apartment (hyresrätt) can be very expensive because of the 'spärrade nycklar' (restricted keys) system. You cannot just copy them at a local shop; you need the landlord's permission. The 'nyckelpigans' (ladybug) name in Swedish literally means 'the key maid', but it has nothing to do with losing keys. However, children often have keychains with ladybugs. Many modern Swedish apartments use 'blippar' (electronic fobs). Even if you lose the fob, you still say you 'tappat bort nycklarna'. Losing an office key is seen as a serious security breach and usually requires an immediate report to the 'säkerhetsansvarig' (security officer).
The Stress Rule
Always stress 'BORT'. If you stress 'tappa', it sounds like you are just talking about the act of dropping.
Don't say 'förlora'
Using 'förlora' for keys makes it sound like you lost them in a bet or a tragic accident.
Signification
Misplacing one's keys.
The Stress Rule
Always stress 'BORT'. If you stress 'tappa', it sounds like you are just talking about the act of dropping.
Don't say 'förlora'
Using 'förlora' for keys makes it sound like you lost them in a bet or a tragic accident.
Use with other objects
You can use this pattern for anything! 'Tappa bort mobilen', 'tappa bort passet', 'tappa bort vantarna'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing particle to complete the phrase 'to lose'.
Jag råkade tappa _______ nycklarna i skogen.
'Tappa bort' is the phrasal verb meaning to lose something.
Which sentence is most natural for a Swede who can't find their keys?
A: Jag har förlorat mina nycklar. B: Jag har tappat bort mina nycklar.
'Tappa bort' is the standard collocation for misplacing everyday objects like keys.
Complete the dialogue.
Person A: Varför är du sen? Person B: Förlåt, jag _______ nycklarna.
The past tense 'tappade bort' explains the reason for being late.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English meaning.
1. Tappa bort nycklarna, 2. Glömma nycklarna, 3. Hitta nycklarna
These are the three most common actions involving keys.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Tappa vs Tappa bort
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJag råkade tappa _______ nycklarna i skogen.
'Tappa bort' is the phrasal verb meaning to lose something.
A: Jag har förlorat mina nycklar. B: Jag har tappat bort mina nycklar.
'Tappa bort' is the standard collocation for misplacing everyday objects like keys.
Person A: Varför är du sen? Person B: Förlåt, jag _______ nycklarna.
The past tense 'tappade bort' explains the reason for being late.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the three most common actions involving keys.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it sounds like you just dropped them. Adding 'bort' makes it clear they are lost.
It is neutral. You can use it in almost any context.
'Förlägga' is more formal and implies you put them in a specific place but forgot where.
Yes, 'tappa bort sig' means to get lost, and 'tappa bort någon' means to lose sight of someone in a crowd.
Jag tappade bort nycklarna i snön.
Because you are usually referring to your specific, known set of keys.
Yes, it is a universal Swedish phrase.
Then say 'Någon har stulit mina nycklar'.
No, use 'förlora' for games or competitions.
Yes, it is the adjective form. 'En borttappad nyckel' means 'a lost key'.
Expressions liées
Tappa bort sig
similarTo get lost
Slarva bort
specialized formTo lose something through carelessness
Hitta nycklarna
contrastTo find the keys
Låsa in nycklarna
similarTo lock the keys inside
