42 Comments
Never thought about it before but it is kind of odd that English doesn't have simple translations for "hinna" and "orka".
I have (also) suggested -to manage- for -hinna- and think -to cope- for -orka- would get close. -Jag orkar inte- I am not coping.
890
Better back translations of cope into Swedish are klara or klara av. The latter is a particle verb, stress on av. Colloquially, we also say fixa or palla.
manage is also often klara, but there are many different translations for that one.
Thank you! I wouldn't probably remember this word but this is a perfect mnemonic :)
In italian we have a parallel verb for att orka, farcela. -- how cool is that
I have the feeling that "orkar" has an overly long and clumsy translation provided here... Can it not be translated, simply, as "can"?
"Jag orkar inte" = "I can't"?
Who would REALLY say "I don't have the energy" unless they were some sort of dramatic queen, cartoonishly fanning themselves for effect?
It comes from the same ultimate Germanic root as English "work", so in a roundabout way you could say "I don't work" but it's not accurate as in Swedish it really means to have strength, will or stamina enough; to be able to be bothered to; to be willing.
- 287
This is yet another example of how different languages have completely different psychologies in their expressions.
Well with all their love for compound words, it's pretty amazing "Ain't nobody got time for that!" fits into one Swedish word. ;)
I don't have the energy sounds very common in (U.S. English).
Come play with me, grandma! Oh, I just don't have the energy
I just don't have the energy to keep up with them
I don't have the energy to put up with it anymore.
So...."orka" is a verb for not having any energy? What are some other contexts that it might be used in?
Not having the strength or energy. We use it differently. Some use it as just "Orka!!", meaning "Come on!" (Ironically)
My husband says it to the kids when they are playing up, and he starts to get frustrated with them. He says it when he can't handle it any more!
- 1880
Another context, when something is too heavy: "Jag orkar inte lyfta den"
- 890
In the right context. Especially about eating. "Could anyone manage that last piece of cake?" Jag orkar!
- 747
Ah, so you would use orkar in that instance? My guess would have been hinner - or is that only to do with time?
- 890
Yes, hinner is only about time. orka is used about whether you're too full to eat anymore or not, and about whether you have the energy to do something.
it would be nice to have some sentences related to (being full or not) as well!
mätt should definitely be added to the course, yes. We do have hungrig, though.
Just checking - I'm currently living in Skåne and everybody who I've spoken to has said that this more closely translates to "I cannot cope!" - Would it be possible to make this an allowed answer?
