Meaning
A bag with significant weight.
Cultural Background
In Sweden, it is common to see people using 'dramaten' (a play on 'dra maten' - pull the food), which is a trolley bag used to avoid carrying a 'tung väska' from the store. At Swedish airports, weight limits are strictly enforced. A 'tung väska' over 23kg will almost always result in a fee. The 'Fjällräven' brand is iconic in Sweden. Their bags are designed to make a 'tung väska' feel lighter through ergonomic design. Offering to help someone with a heavy bag is a standard 'gentlemanly' or 'kind' gesture in Sweden, despite the general culture of privacy.
Adjective Agreement
Always check if you are talking about 'en' or 'ett' words. Since most bags (väska, kasse, påse) are 'en' words, 'tung' is your best friend.
Don't say 'svår'
Even if a bag is 'difficult' to carry, never call it 'svår'. It sounds like the bag is hard to understand!
Meaning
A bag with significant weight.
Adjective Agreement
Always check if you are talking about 'en' or 'ett' words. Since most bags (väska, kasse, påse) are 'en' words, 'tung' is your best friend.
Don't say 'svår'
Even if a bag is 'difficult' to carry, never call it 'svår'. It sounds like the bag is hard to understand!
Slang Alert
If a teenager says your bag is 'tung', say thank you! They think it's cool.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'tung'.
Jag har en ____ väska.
Since 'väska' is an indefinite en-word, we use the basic form 'tung'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct definite form:
Definite form requires 'den' for en-words and the -a ending on the adjective.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Matching the different forms of the adjective and noun.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kan du hjälpa mig? B: Ja, är din väska ____?
In the context of helping with a bag, 'tung' (heavy) is the most logical reason to need help.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tung vs Lätt
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag har en ____ väska.
Since 'väska' is an indefinite en-word, we use the basic form 'tung'.
Choose the correct definite form:
Definite form requires 'den' for en-words and the -a ending on the adjective.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching the different forms of the adjective and noun.
A: Kan du hjälpa mig? B: Ja, är din väska ____?
In the context of helping with a bag, 'tung' (heavy) is the most logical reason to need help.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but be careful. 'En tung person' means a physically heavy person. 'Han är tung' in slang means 'He is cool/important'.
The plural is 'tunga väskor'.
No, for heavy rain we say 'kraftigt regn' or 'ösregn'.
No, 'väska' is a general term for suitcases, handbags, and backpacks.
You say 'för tung'.
Yes, 'väska' is usually more permanent (leather, fabric, suitcase), while 'kasse' is for shopping (plastic, paper, or reusable grocery bags).
Yes, 'ett tungt besked' means 'heavy/sad news'.
It's a soft nasal sound, exactly like the 'ng' in the English word 'sing'.
The opposite is 'lätt' (light).
Yes, it is a very common everyday collocation in Sweden.
Related Phrases
Tungt bagage
similarHeavy luggage
Lätt väska
contrastLight bag
Resväska
specialized formSuitcase
Matkasse
specialized formGrocery bag
Bära
builds onTo carry
