Signification
Something that is very easy to do.
Contexte culturel
Danes value 'selvhjulpenhed' (self-reliance). Saying 'det er en smal sag' when helping someone shows that you are capable but also that you don't want the other person to feel like they are a burden. Across Scandinavia, there is a shared linguistic root for this phrase. In Sweden, they say 'en smal sak'. It reflects a regional pragmatic approach to problem-solving. In a flat hierarchy like the Danish workplace, this phrase is used by both bosses and employees to signal that a task is under control. It builds trust through projected competence. Danish craftsmen often use this phrase to downplay their immense skill, focusing on the result rather than the difficulty of the process.
Use the Negative
To sound very native, use 'Det er ingen smal sag' when you want to complain politely about a hard task.
Avoid for People
Don't call a person 'en smal sag'. It doesn't make sense and sounds like you're calling them a 'narrow case'.
Signification
Something that is very easy to do.
Use the Negative
To sound very native, use 'Det er ingen smal sag' when you want to complain politely about a hard task.
Avoid for People
Don't call a person 'en smal sag'. It doesn't make sense and sounds like you're calling them a 'narrow case'.
Modesty is Key
Use this phrase to deflect praise. It makes you seem more likable in Danish culture.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Bare rolig, at fikse din cykel er en ____ ____.
The correct fixed idiom is 'smal sag'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'It's very easy'?
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
The idiom must describe a task or situation, not a physical object.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Kan du hjælpe mig med at bære disse kasser? B: Ja, ____!
'Det er en smal sag' is a perfect way to accept a request for help.
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
Hvornår siger man 'Det er ingen smal sag'?
Adding 'ingen' (no/none) negates the idiom, meaning it is NOT an easy task.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesBare rolig, at fikse din cykel er en ____ ____.
The correct fixed idiom is 'smal sag'.
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
The idiom must describe a task or situation, not a physical object.
A: Kan du hjælpe mig med at bære disse kasser? B: Ja, ____!
'Det er en smal sag' is a perfect way to accept a request for help.
Hvornår siger man 'Det er ingen smal sag'?
Adding 'ingen' (no/none) negates the idiom, meaning it is NOT an easy task.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! If asked if you can handle a specific software, saying 'Det er en smal sag for mig' shows confidence.
In modern Danish, yes. But in this idiom, it retains its old meaning of 'small'.
'Let' is just 'easy'. 'En smal sag' is more idiomatic and sounds more natural in conversation.
No, that is not an idiom. For something hard, use 'en svær opgave' or 'en hård nød'.
Absolutely. It's a neutral, respectful way to show competence.
Technically yes ('smalle sager'), but the idiom is almost always used in the singular.
No, it is a standard idiom used by all age groups.
The 'g' is silent. It sounds like 'sa' with a tiny stop at the end.
No, it's best for tasks, skills, or logical problems.
Yes, in emails, blogs, and journalism.
Expressions liées
det er ingen sag
synonymIt's no problem / it's easy.
det er pærelet
similarIt's pear-easy.
det går som smurt
similarIt goes like it's greased.
en hård nød at knække
contrastA hard nut to crack.
det er barnemad
similarIt's baby food.
