Tjata, Tjafsa and Other Nagging

To nag

Tip: Keep bringing something up until you get your way. Sluta tjata! = stop nagging!

Nagging (the noun)

Tip: Jag orkar inte ditt tjat = I can't take your nagging

To bicker

Tip: Argue about nothing much, usually loudly

Pointless squabbling

Tip: Lägg av med tjafset = cut out the bickering

To whine

Tip: Complain in a drawn-out, self-pitying way

Whiny

Tip: Of a person or a tone of voice

A moaner

Tip: Literally a whine-nail; affectionate more than cruel

To mouth off

Tip: From käft, jaw — rude; käfta emot = answer back

To row or make trouble

Tip: Covers arguing and generally causing trouble

A row, trouble

Tip: Det blev bråk = a fight broke out

To go on about something

Tip: Han håller på om det jämt = he never drops it

Cut it out

Tip: Also means 'you're kidding' depending on tone

Give it a rest

Tip: Ge dig nu! — said to someone who won't stop

Drop it

Tip: Ending an argument

Don't start

Tip: Heading one off before it begins

To tell someone off

Tip: Mild — a word in someone's ear

To give someone a telling-off

Tip: Strong; skälla on its own is a dog barking

To snap at someone

Tip: fräsa is also the sound of frying

To sulk

Tip: sitta och sura = sit there sulking

Stubborn, digging your heels in

Tip: Not an insult exactly — Swedes half admire it