Swedish word of the day: slöjd
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Slöjd is a bit of an umbrella term. It usually refers to some kind of creative or crafty activity including some degree of handiwork, for example träslöjd (woodwork), metallslöjd (metalwork) and textil- or syslöjd (textile crafts, like knitting, or sewing and embroidery).
It's also a compulsory subject for Swedish schoolchildren. Prior to the 1960s, slöjd was split into manlig slöjd (male slöjd), which consisted of work with hard materials like wood and metal, and kvinnlig slöjd, (female slöjd), using textiles. Now, however, all children in Swedish schools try both types of slöjd, switching each semester.
It also used to be a school subject taught in the US in the early 20th century, known as sloyd in English.
Don't miss any of our Swedish words and expressions of the day by downloading The Local's app (available on Apple and Android) and then selecting the Swedish Word of the Day in your Notification options via the User button
Slöjd differs from pyssel in that it is more advanced and usually requires some sort of skill, and often cannot be completed in one sitting.
Pyssel, on the other hand, is a simpler kind of craft that is simple enough for even a small child to carry out, and usually can be finished in an hour or so without any kind of special tools.
The word slöjd originally comes from an Old Norse word meaning skilled or crafty, and has the same root as sleight in the English phrase sleight of hand.
Slöjd is still an important part of Swedish culture, and you can often find shops in major cities selling either the materials needed for slöjd or traditional Swedish handicrafts like Dala horses, handwoven textiles or small wooden figurines carved with a knife.
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Example sentences:
Jag jobbar som slöjdlärare i en grundskola.
I work as a crafts teacher in a primary school.
Jag gillar träslöjd men det kräver mycket plats och dyra verktyg.
I like woodwork but you need a lot of space and expensive tools.
Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local's Word Guide to Swedish Life, written by The Local's journalists, is available to order. Head to lysforlag.com/vvv to read more about it. It is also possible to buy your copy from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Bokus or Adlibris.
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