Learn Hardcore Swedish: Under fikat pratar vi om jobbet. - During the coffee break we talk about work.

Examples: under helgen (during the weekend), under mötet (during the meeting), under sommaren (during the summer). Note: under also means under/beneath in spatial uses (e.g., under bordet = under the table).

Why is it fikat with a final -t? I thought fika was en fika (definite fikan).

Traditionally, the noun fika is common gender: en fika → definite fikan. However, many Swedes also use a neuter version in everyday speech: ett fika → definite fikat. The phrase under fikat is very common and sounds natural. You may also hear under fikan—both occur.

So which should I use: under fikat or under fikan?

Both are understood. In casual speech, under fikat is extremely common (especially in set phrases like efter fikat). If you want to avoid the gender issue altogether, say under fikapausen or under fikarasten (during the coffee break).

What exactly is fika?

A culturally important Swedish coffee break, often with something sweet (a bun, cookie, etc.). It can be:

a verb: Vi fikar (We’re having coffee/a coffee break).
a noun: Vi tar en fika (We’re having a fika).

Why is it pratar vi and not vi pratar after Under fikat?

Swedish main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb is in the second position. When you put a time/place phrase first (here, Under fikat), the verb comes next, and the subject follows:

Under fikat pratar vi … (Correct)
Under fikat vi pratar … (Incorrect)

Can I put the time phrase at the end to keep normal subject–verb order?

Yes:

Vi pratar om jobbet under fikat. Meaning stays the same. You only fronted the time phrase in the original for focus/style.

What does om jobbet mean exactly? Why the definite form jobbet?

om = about. jobb is a neuter noun (ett jobb → definite jobbet). om jobbet is best translated as “about work/work matters” (often the workplace or our jobs in general). English often uses a bare noun (“about work”), but Swedish prefers the definite form here.

How is om jobbet different from på jobbet and i jobbet?

om jobbet = about work/the job (topic of conversation).
på jobbet = at work (location): Vi är på jobbet (We’re at work).
i jobbet = in one’s work/within the job (context of tasks): Jag använder engelska i jobbet (I use English in my job).
om jobb (no definite) = about jobs (in general, plural-ish topic).

Could I use other verbs than pratar?

Yes:

talar (a bit more formal): Under fikat talar vi om jobbet.
snackar (informal): Under fikat snackar vi om jobbet.
diskuterar (discuss): Under fikat diskuterar vi jobbet.

Does the present tense pratar mean a habitual action here?

Exactly. Swedish present covers ongoing, general, and habitual meanings:

Here it’s habitual: “During fika, we (usually) talk about work.”

Can I use medan instead of under?

Yes, with a clause:

Medan vi fikar pratar vi om jobbet. Note the word order: the subordinate clause (Medan vi fikar) comes first, and the main clause still obeys V2: pratar is second in that main clause.

Where does inte go if I want to negate it?

In main clauses, inte usually comes after the finite verb:

Under fikat pratar vi inte om jobbet.
Vi pratar inte om jobbet under fikat.

Is på fikat possible?

It’s not the usual choice. For this meaning, prefer under fikat. With other “break” words you may hear på rasten (at break), but under fikat is the idiomatic pick for fika.

How would I say it in the past or future?

Past: Under fikat pratade vi om jobbet.
Future: Under fikat ska vi prata om jobbet. / Under fikat kommer vi att prata om jobbet.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

Under: initial u is the rounded sound (not like English “under”); think a short, rounded “uh.”
fikat: fi like “fee,” hard k (before a), stress on FI: fee-kat.
pratar: prå- with a broad “a” (like “father”), stress PRÅ-.
jobbet: j like English “y,” double bb makes a long /b/: YO-bbet. A rough guide: “OON-der FEE-kat PRAH-tar vee om YOB-bet.”