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B1Swedish·30 cards

Fasting at Work

What colleagues actually say when someone is fasting: explaining it, adjusting hours and being invited to break the fast.

Adam is fasting for a month. Follow him through a lunchroom chat, a word with his manager about flexible hours, a tired afternoon and an invitation to break the fast with his family.

Elegant dinner setup by the ocean during a stunning sunset, creating a romantic ambiance.
Photo: Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels
  1. 1

    Ska du inte äta lunch?

    Aren't you having lunch?

    Tip: Word for word: 'shall you not eat ...?'

  2. 2

    Jag fastar just nu.

    I'm fasting at the moment.

    Tip: Literally 'exactly now'.

  3. 3

    Hur länge då?

    For how long?

    Tip: The last word adds curiosity: 'then'.

  4. 4

    Jag äter inte från soluppgång till solnedgång.

    I don't eat from sunrise to sunset.

    Tip: No articles in 'from ... to ...' time phrases.

  5. 5

    Inte vatten heller?

    Not even water?

    Tip: Literally 'not water either?'

  6. 6

    Nej, inte ens vatten.

    No, not even water.

    Tip: Not even = not once.

  7. 7

    Det låter tufft.

    That sounds tough.

    Tip: Borrowed from English, with a Swedish neuter -t.

  8. 8

    De första dagarna är jobbigast.

    The first days are the hardest.

    Tip: The superlative without 'the most'.

  9. 9

    Sen vänjer man sig.

    Then you get used to it.

    Tip: Get used to = accustom oneself.

  10. 10

    Gör det något om jag äter här bredvid dig?

    Do you mind if I eat here next to you?

    Tip: Literally 'does it something if I eat here?'

  11. 11

    Det stör mig inte alls.

    It doesn't bother me at all.

    Tip: Not at all = not all.

  12. 12

    Har du en minut?

    Have you got a minute?

    Tip: A soft way to start a talk with your manager.

  13. 13

    Skulle jag kunna börja och sluta lite tidigare?

    Could I start and finish a bit earlier?

    Tip: Could I = would I be able to.

  14. 14

    Säg till om du behöver något.

    Let me know if you need anything.

    Tip: Literally 'say to if you need something'.

  15. 15

    Det uppskattar jag.

    I appreciate that.

    Tip: Object first, verb second: very natural in speech.

  16. 16

    Vi kan flytta mötet till förmiddagen.

    We can move the meeting to the morning.

    Tip: The late morning (before noon).

  17. 17

    Då har du mer ork.

    Then you'll have more energy.

    Tip: Stamina, the strength to keep going.

  18. 18

    Du ser lite trött ut.

    You look a bit tired.

    Tip: Look = see out: the particle goes at the end.

  19. 19

    Jag blir lite seg på eftermiddagen.

    I get a bit sluggish in the afternoon.

    Tip: Slow, low on energy; also means 'chewy'.

  20. 20

    Det går över.

    It passes.

    Tip: Literally 'it goes over'.

  21. 21

    Jag tar en kort promenad för att piggna till.

    I'll take a short walk to perk up.

    Tip: Perk up = become alert again.

  22. 22

    Vill du komma hem till oss och bryta fastan på fredag?

    Would you like to come over and break the fast with us on Friday?

    Tip: Come home to us = come to our place.

  23. 23

    Vad roligt!

    How lovely!

    Tip: Literally 'how fun!' Said to any good news or invitation.

  24. 24

    När ska jag komma?

    When should I come?

    Tip: Shall = should here.

  25. 25

    Vi äter när solen går ner.

    We eat when the sun goes down.

    Tip: Sun + go + down.

  26. 26

    Ska jag ta med något?

    Shall I bring anything?

    Tip: Bring = take along.

  27. 27

    Det behövs inte.

    There's no need.

    Tip: Passive -s: 'it is not needed'.

  28. 28

    Finns det något jag borde tänka på?

    Is there anything I should keep in mind?

    Tip: Should = ought to. Think 'on' = keep in mind.

  29. 29

    Vi brukar börja med soppa och vatten.

    We usually start with soup and water.

    Tip: Usually + infinitive.

  30. 30

    Jag ser fram emot det.

    I'm looking forward to it.

    Tip: Literally 'I see forward towards it'.