Time Off for a Holiday
What people say when they ask for a day off for a holiday, talk about how they celebrate and share it at work.
Lina's family celebrates an important religious holiday. Follow her as she asks her manager for the day off, tells a curious colleague about the celebration and comes back with pastries for the office.
- 1
Kan jag prata med dig en snabbis?
Can I have a quick word with you?
Tip: The last word is slang for 'a quick one'.
- 2
Nästa torsdag är det en högtid som är viktig för min familj.
Next Thursday there's a holiday that's important to my family.
Tip: Verb second after the time phrase; 'that' = which.
- 3
Skulle jag kunna ta ledigt den dagen?
Could I take that day off?
Tip: Could I = should I be able to.
- 4
Lägg in det i systemet så godkänner jag det.
Put it into the system and I'll approve it.
Tip: The 'so' here means 'and then'. Verb before subject after it.
- 5
Jag kan jobba in tiden en annan dag.
I can work the time back another day.
Tip: Work in = make up hours.
- 6
Du kan också flexa om du hellre vill det.
You can also use flexitime if you'd rather.
Tip: Casual office verb: shift your hours using the time bank.
- 7
Vad ska du göra på din ledighet?
What are you going to do on your time off?
Tip: On your free time = on your 'freeness'.
- 8
Vi firar med hela släkten.
We're celebrating with the whole extended family.
Tip: The whole + definite noun, no 'the' in front.
- 9
Hur firar ni?
How do you celebrate?
Tip: Plural 'you': your family.
- 10
Vi klär upp oss och äter massor.
We dress up and eat loads.
Tip: Dress up = clothe up ourselves.
- 11
Vi besöker släktingar som vi inte har träffat på länge.
We visit relatives we haven't seen in a long time.
Tip: In a long time = on long. Negation before the helper verb in the that-clause.
- 12
Brukar ni ge presenter?
Do you usually give presents?
Tip: Usually + infinitive.
- 13
Barnen får presenter och pengar.
The children get presents and money.
Tip: Money is always plural.
- 14
Får jag fråga vad ni firar?
May I ask what you're celebrating?
Tip: A polite way into a personal topic.
- 15
Det är en religiös högtid.
It's a religious holiday.
Tip: Neutral and polite.
- 16
För oss handlar det mest om familjen.
For us, it's mostly about family.
Tip: Be about = 'trade about'. Verb second after the opening phrase.
- 17
Ha en fin högtid!
Have a lovely holiday!
Tip: The safe, warm wish for anyone's holiday.
- 18
Välkommen tillbaka!
Welcome back!
Tip: Singular form, for one person.
- 19
Hur var ledigheten?
How was your time off?
Tip: Literally 'how was the free time?'
- 20
Det var underbart.
It was wonderful.
Tip: Neuter form after the pronoun.
- 21
Jag har ätit alldeles för mycket.
I've eaten far too much.
Tip: Far too = entirely too.
- 22
Jag har tagit med lite bakverk.
I've brought some pastries.
Tip: Brought = taken along.
- 23
Min mamma bakade hela veckan!
My mum baked all week!
Tip: All week = whole the week.
- 24
Ta så många du vill!
Take as many as you like!
Tip: Literally 'take so many you want'.
- 25
Vad gott det ser ut!
They look delicious!
Tip: Look = see out, with the particle at the end.
- 26
Hoppas att ni hade det fint!
I hope you had a lovely time!
Tip: No 'I' at the start: very common in speech.
- 27
Det var en fin dag med familjen.
It was a lovely day with the family.
Tip: Lovely = fine, nice.
- 28
Nästa gång vill jag gärna vara med och fira.
Next time, I'd love to join in the celebration.
Tip: Join in = be along.
- 29
Du är varmt välkommen!
You're very welcome!
Tip: Literally 'warmly welcome'.