vara i sitt esse

Swedish

Etymology

Literally, "to be in one's esse (only used in this expression)," a partial calque of German in seinem Esse sein, from German Esse (perhaps in the sense of "inner nature" – compare väsen), from Latin esse.

Verb

vara i sitt esse (present är i sitt esse, preterite var i sitt esse, supine varit i sitt esse, imperative var i sitt esse)

1. to be in the kind of situation where one enjoys oneself and performs at one's best; to be at one's best, to be in one's element

   Nisse älskar att laga mat och är i sitt esse vid grillen på grillfester

   Nisse loves cooking and is at his happy best at the grill at barbecues

References

• esse in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• esse in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)