Meaning
Something is very expensive
Cultural Background
Swedes often use this idiom to bond over 'gnäll' (complaining). Complaining about high prices is a socially acceptable way to start a conversation with a stranger or colleague. In the capital, the idiom is frequently used regarding the housing market, which is notoriously expensive and difficult to navigate. Even in business, Swedes value transparency and 'lagom' pricing. If a consultant's fee 'kostar skjortan', it might be seen as a lack of humility. In smaller towns, the threshold for what 'kostar skjortan' might be lower than in big cities, reflecting different cost-of-living expectations.
Use 'ju' for natural flow
Add 'ju' (Det kostar ju skjortan) to sound like a native. It implies 'as we both know, it's expensive'.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'kostar skjortor'. The idiom is fixed in the singular definite form.
Meaning
Something is very expensive
Use 'ju' for natural flow
Add 'ju' (Det kostar ju skjortan) to sound like a native. It implies 'as we both know, it's expensive'.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'kostar skjortor'. The idiom is fixed in the singular definite form.
The 'Gnäll' factor
Using this idiom is a great way to participate in the Swedish cultural pastime of complaining about the weather or prices.
Test Yourself
Fyll i det saknade ordet i idiomet.
Jag skulle vilja köpa den där båten, men den kostar ______.
Idiomet är alltid 'kostar skjortan' i bestämd form.
Vilket påstående betyder samma sak som 'Det kostar skjortan'?
Det kostar skjortan.
'Kosta skjortan' är en synonym till 'vara jättedyrt'.
Välj det bästa svaret för att avsluta dialogen.
A: Titta på den här klockan, den kostar 50 000 kronor! B: ________
Svaret uttrycker förvåning över det höga priset med rätt idiom.
I vilken situation passar det bäst att säga 'Det kostar skjortan'?
Välj rätt situation:
Idiomet används för orimligt höga priser.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Things that often 'Kostar Skjortan'
Housing
- • Hyra
- • Hus
- • Renovering
Tech
- • iPhone
- • Dator
- • Grafikkort
Services
- • Mekaniker
- • Advokat
- • Tandläkare
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag skulle vilja köpa den där båten, men den kostar ______.
Idiomet är alltid 'kostar skjortan' i bestämd form.
Det kostar skjortan.
'Kosta skjortan' är en synonym till 'vara jättedyrt'.
A: Titta på den här klockan, den kostar 50 000 kronor! B: ________
Svaret uttrycker förvåning över det höga priset med rätt idiom.
Välj rätt situation:
Idiomet används för orimligt höga priser.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's only for the price of things or services. You can't say a person 'kostar skjortan' unless you are paying for their services (like a consultant).
Not at all. It's informal and expressive, but not offensive. It's a standard way to complain about prices.
Historical convention. Shirts were historically more valuable and visible symbols of status and basic clothing.
Yes! 'Det kostade skjortan' is very common when talking about a past purchase.
Related Phrases
Kosta en förmögenhet
synonymTo cost a fortune
Svida i plånboken
similarTo sting in the wallet
Kosta multum
synonymTo cost a lot
Gå på ett ut
contrastTo be worth it / break even
