Meaning
To work hard on something.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the Swedish value of 'flit' (diligence). It's not enough to be smart; you must show you've put in the work. In Swedish offices, 'lägga ner energi' on the 'fika' (coffee break) is actually a thing—it's where social energy is invested to build team cohesion. There is a counter-movement to 'lägga ner energi' on everything, called 'downshifting', where people choose to spend less energy on work and more on life.
The 'På' Rule
Never use 'i' or 'till'. It is always 'på'. If you remember this, you will sound 50% more native immediately.
Don't forget the 'ner'!
If you just say 'lägga energi', it sounds incomplete and confusing to a Swede.
Meaning
To work hard on something.
The 'På' Rule
Never use 'i' or 'till'. It is always 'på'. If you remember this, you will sound 50% more native immediately.
Don't forget the 'ner'!
If you just say 'lägga energi', it sounds incomplete and confusing to a Swede.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
Jag måste ______ ______ mer energi ______ mina studier.
The standard phrase is 'lägga ner energi på'.
Which sentence means 'He stopped working on the project'?
Välj rätt mening:
Without 'energi', 'lägga ner' means to close or stop something.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: Varför är du så trött? B: Jag har ______ ______ ______ ______ på att fixa trädgården hela dagen.
The supine form 'lagt ner' is used after 'har'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesJag måste ______ ______ mer energi ______ mina studier.
The standard phrase is 'lägga ner energi på'.
Välj rätt mening:
Without 'energi', 'lägga ner' means to close or stop something.
A: Varför är du så trött? B: Jag har ______ ______ ______ ______ på att fixa trädgården hela dagen.
The supine form 'lagt ner' is used after 'har'.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsNo, 'lägga in' is used for things like 'lägga in sill' (pickling herring) or 'lägga in en växel' (shifting gears). Stick to 'ner'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Related Phrases
lägga ner tid
similarTo spend time on something.
lägga ner sin själ
builds onTo put one's soul into something.
lägga av
contrastTo stop or quit.
