Significado
Something that is very easy to do.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is deeply tied to the concept of 'selvhjulpenhet' (self-reliance). Norwegians take pride in being able to fix things themselves, and calling a task a 'smal sak' reinforces this identity. In all Scandinavian countries, modesty is key. Using 'smal sak' allows you to accept a compliment on your skills by redirecting the focus to the simplicity of the task. In flat-hierarchy Norwegian offices, saying 'smal sak' to a boss is not seen as disrespectful; it's seen as being efficient and helpful. In the tech-savvy Norwegian society, 'smal sak' is frequently used in online forums (like Kvinneguiden or Reddit Norge) to help others with technical or domestic advice.
Use it for favors
The best time to use this is when someone thanks you for a small favor. It makes you sound very polite and capable.
Don't overdo it
If you say everything is a 'smal sak', you might sound a bit arrogant. Use it for things that are actually simple.
Significado
Something that is very easy to do.
Use it for favors
The best time to use this is when someone thanks you for a small favor. It makes you sound very polite and capable.
Don't overdo it
If you say everything is a 'smal sak', you might sound a bit arrogant. Use it for things that are actually simple.
The 'Smal' logic
Remember that 'smal' here means 'small effort', not 'narrow space'. This helps you remember the meaning.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Å bake en kake er ___ ___ ___.
The full idiom is 'en smal sak'.
Which response is most natural when someone asks for a small favor?
Kan du bære denne posen for meg?
'Smal sak' is the idiomatic way to say 'no problem/it's easy'.
Match the situation to the best use of the phrase.
Situation: You are an IT expert and someone asks you to restart a router.
Restarting a router is a very easy task for an expert.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kan du oversette dette brevet til engelsk? B: Selvfølgelig! ___ ___ ___ ___.
Translating a letter is a task that can be described as 'en smal sak'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to use Smal Sak
Easy Tasks
- • Fixing a bike
- • Sending an email
- • Finding a shop
Social Favors
- • Lending a pen
- • Giving a ride
- • Opening a door
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosÅ bake en kake er ___ ___ ___.
The full idiom is 'en smal sak'.
Kan du bære denne posen for meg?
'Smal sak' is the idiomatic way to say 'no problem/it's easy'.
Situation: You are an IT expert and someone asks you to restart a router.
Restarting a router is a very easy task for an expert.
A: Kan du oversette dette brevet til engelsk? B: Selvfølgelig! ___ ___ ___ ___.
Translating a letter is a task that can be described as 'en smal sak'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, the idiom is fixed as 'en smal sak'. Even if you are talking about 'arbeidet' (the work - neuter), you say 'Arbeidet er en smal sak'.
Yes, it's very common in Norwegian workplaces to show you can handle a task easily.
'Lett' is just the adjective for 'easy'. 'Smal sak' is a more idiomatic and colorful way to express the same thing.
No, that doesn't exist. For something hard, you would say 'en vanskelig oppgave' or 'en hard nøtt' (a hard nut).
Not at all. It is used every day by people of all ages in Norway.
In this context, it means 'matter' or 'task'. In other contexts, it can mean a legal case or a physical thing.
Rarely. You wouldn't say 'de er smale saker'. Stick to the singular 'det er en smal sak'.
Just change the verb to past tense: 'Det var en smal sak'.
They are both very common, but 'smal sak' feels slightly more descriptive of the task itself.
Yes! 'Å score det målet var en smal sak' (Scoring that goal was a piece of cake).
Frases relacionadas
ingen sak
synonymNo problem / no big deal.
lett som en plett
similarEasy as pie.
lekende lett
similarPlayfully easy.
en smule
builds onA little bit.
