Meaning
Having knowledge or oversight.
Cultural Background
In Sweden, 'having koll' is linked to the concept of 'duktig' (capable/good). A 'duktig' person always has koll. In meetings, saying 'Jag har koll' is a way to claim ownership of a task without sounding overly aggressive or bossy. Parents often use 'hålla koll' to teach children responsibility for their own belongings in school. With Sweden being highly digitized, 'ha koll' often refers to managing apps like BankID or Swish.
The 'Läget' Combo
If you want to sound 100% native, always say 'koll på läget' instead of just 'koll'. It's the most natural way to say you're on top of things.
Don't forget 'PÅ'
Without 'på', the sentence usually feels incomplete. Always 'koll på [something]'.
Meaning
Having knowledge or oversight.
The 'Läget' Combo
If you want to sound 100% native, always say 'koll på läget' instead of just 'koll'. It's the most natural way to say you're on top of things.
Don't forget 'PÅ'
Without 'på', the sentence usually feels incomplete. Always 'koll på [something]'.
Reassurance is Key
In Sweden, saying 'Jag har koll' is a polite way to tell someone to stop worrying without being rude.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'I have a handle on the situation'.
Jag har ____ på läget.
'Koll på läget' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Which preposition always follows 'koll'?
Jag har koll ____ dig.
'Koll' always takes the preposition 'på'.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the pairs:
These are the four most common variations of the word.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vet du när bussen går? B: Nej, jag har faktiskt ____.
B is saying they don't know, so 'ingen koll' (no clue) is the correct fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The Four Faces of Koll
Positive
- • Full koll
- • Bra koll
- • Ha koll
Negative
- • Noll koll
- • Ingen koll
- • Tappa kollen
Action
- • Hålla koll
- • Ta en koll
- • Kolla upp
Context
- • Koll på läget
- • Koll på tiden
- • Koll på pengar
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag har ____ på läget.
'Koll på läget' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Jag har koll ____ dig.
'Koll' always takes the preposition 'på'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the four most common variations of the word.
A: Vet du när bussen går? B: Nej, jag har faktiskt ____.
B is saying they don't know, so 'ingen koll' (no clue) is the correct fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt started as slang but is now a fully accepted word in the Swedish Academy Dictionary (SAOL).
Yes! 'Hålla koll på någon' means to keep an eye on someone, like a child or a suspicious person.
'Veta' is just to know a fact. 'Ha koll' implies you are managing or monitoring the information.
It is 'en koll' (common gender), though the article is rarely used in the idioms.
No, you must use 'på'. 'Jag har koll på det' is the only correct way.
Use 'Jag tappade kollen'.
Yes, it shows you are organized. 'Jag har bra koll på mina projekt' sounds very professional.
It literally means 'zero check/control', used when you are completely confused or uninformed.
Yes, 'Håll koll på nycklarna' means 'Keep track of the keys'.
Technically 'kollar', but it is almost never used. You just use the singular 'koll'.
Related Phrases
Ha pejl på
synonymTo have a sense of/radar for something.
Hålla ett öga på
similarTo keep an eye on.
Vara med i matchen
idiomTo be in the game / to be clued in.
Ha på känn
contrastTo have a feeling about something.
