Significado
To cause trouble intentionally.
Contexto cultural
The bear is a symbol of both national pride and primal fear in Sweden. In the north (Norrland), bears are a part of life, and this idiom carries a weight of real-world survival wisdom. In Swedish offices, 'consensus culture' is king. Using this idiom is a socially acceptable way to shut down a potentially divisive debate without sounding aggressive. Bears were historically so feared that people avoided saying the word 'björn' (bear), using noa-names like 'nalle' or 'bamse' instead. This idiom respects that ancient power. Swedish diplomats often use this concept when dealing with larger powers (like Russia), emphasizing the need for 'lågaffektivt bemötande' (low-affective encounter).
Use it to sound wise
Using this idiom in a meeting when everyone is arguing shows you have high emotional intelligence and understand social dynamics.
Don't use for small things
If you use it for a tiny problem, it sounds overly dramatic. Save the 'bear' for real threats.
Significado
To cause trouble intentionally.
Use it to sound wise
Using this idiom in a meeting when everyone is arguing shows you have high emotional intelligence and understand social dynamics.
Don't use for small things
If you use it for a tiny problem, it sounds overly dramatic. Save the 'bear' for real threats.
The 'Den' variation
Adding 'den' (Väck inte *den* björn...) makes you sound more like a native speaker who knows the classic proverb form.
Teste-se
Fyll i det saknade ordet i idiomet.
Väck inte den ______ som sover.
The full traditional form is 'den björn som sover'.
Vilken mening betyder samma sak som idiomet?
Vi bör inte väcka björnen som sover.
The idiom is about avoiding difficult topics or conflicts.
I vilken situation passar idiomet bäst?
Din vän vill bråka med sin granne om en gammal sak, men grannen är lugn nu.
This is the perfect situation to advise against restarting a conflict.
Slutför dialogen.
A: Ska jag berätta för läraren att jag glömde läxan? B: Nej, han har redan gett dig betyg. ______.
B is advising A not to draw attention to a mistake that has already passed unnoticed.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to let the bear sleep
Work
- • Old mistakes
- • Boss's mood
- • Minor bugs
Social
- • Ex-partners
- • Politics
- • Old debts
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosVäck inte den ______ som sover.
The full traditional form is 'den björn som sover'.
Vi bör inte väcka björnen som sover.
The idiom is about avoiding difficult topics or conflicts.
Din vän vill bråka med sin granne om en gammal sak, men grannen är lugn nu.
This is the perfect situation to advise against restarting a conflict.
A: Ska jag berätta för läraren att jag glömde läxan? B: Nej, han har redan gett dig betyg. ______.
B is advising A not to draw attention to a mistake that has already passed unnoticed.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasYes! You can say a person is a 'sleeping bear' if they have a bad temper that is currently under control.
Both are used. 'Väck inte björnen' is common in speech. 'Väck inte den björn som sover' is the formal proverb.
No, it's usually seen as helpful advice to avoid trouble.
Because bears are the most dangerous animals in the Swedish forest. It emphasizes the risk.
People will understand you because of English influence, but it's not the Swedish idiom.
Frases relacionadas
Att röra upp i ett getingbo
similarTo stir up a wasp's nest.
Att hälla bensin på elden
builds onTo pour gasoline on the fire.
Låta saken bero
synonymTo let the matter rest.
Ingen ko på isen
contrastNo cow on the ice.
