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- "Vi hinner inte!"
34 Comments
It always amuses me to see how some languages can say things in one word that other languages need a few words to express...
Me too, it could get quite philosophical. like japanese komorebi or boketto. swedish gökotta or my new favorite Lagom. nerwegian utepils sounds cool too.
http://www.boredpanda.com/untranslatable-words-found-in-translation-anjana-iyer/
In spanish we sure have many, though i don't remember any now, though i think most are slang. In argentina specially we have a special slang called lunfardo, it sure has many words in it.
This verb 'hinner' makes me wonder seriously about how important punctuality is for swedes.
Haha I live in Sweden now and let me tell you something, Swedes are never early and they are never late. They literally arrive the exact time expected. But I also must say, Swedes are the most efficient people in the world. Except in July. Forget about getting ANYTHING done in July! :)
And yes, many small businesses are closed for the whole month from cycle shops to restaurants. Even the buses change schedule to allow for lack of employees!! Swedish people are so used to the July shut down that it really is no big deal to see so many closings. The key is, everyone here has the vacation time so no one gets jealous or upset to see others using their time off :)
Oh yes, all the major chain stores like IKEA, H&M, ICA etc are all open. I live in a "big" city here in Sweden so its really just the mom-and-pop-shops that close down. Funny little story, I applied for my Swedish residence permit in July last year but lucky for me I didn't have to wait too long after for a response :)
Italy practically shuts down in August. Not because the weather is so nice nice but because it is so hot. Everybody who can go to the seaside or other cooler places leaves the cities especially.
Because all working Swedes have the right to at least 4-6 weeks vacation a year, most take vacation in July because its the absolute best weather. Well, maybe not this year lol
July is a time in Sweden where everyone basically has a summer holiday. Some businesses may close for this entire period
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Like wizards: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
In Russian there is the same meaning word "успеть". It is often used when delaying something and leads to lateness eventually :D
The greek verb ''προλαβαίνω'' has similar meaning to ''hinner'' so, I reckon, it's an easy word for us greeks to remember :)
After reading your comment it finally made sense! Greek here as well, glad to see it comes in handy to have a similar word to translate this to.
There's a slight difference between making it in time and having time, that's what got you here I think.
Yeah, l would say there is a difference between having time and having enough time to accomplish a task.
A: Quick, B & C! The train is leaving in five minutes
B & C: Skit. Vi hinner inte!
does hinner refer only to trying to get to a specific location (or do a specific thing) before a specific time, or does it have other applications too?
I put we will not have time and it was wrong. I don't understand why; any advice?
Can you use hinner without the inte? If you say 'Jag hinner' would that mean you're doing something in time?
Aah, pity. "We will not be on time." wasn't accepted ... we are precise, aren't we?
