haffa

From Old Swedish haffa, from Middle Low German haffen (“to handle, treat by hand”), related to Middle Low German haven (“to have, hold”) and Middle Low German hebben (“to have”). Compare also Middle High German haben (“to have, grab, seize”).

haffa (present haffar, preterite haffade, supine haffat, imperative haffa)

1. (slang) to catch criminals

   De haffades av polisen

   They were caught by the police

2. (slang) to (quickly) seize (something, by grabbing it)

   Han sprang ut och haffade ett slagträ på vägen när han såg zombierna närma sig huset

   He ran out and grabbed a bat on the way when he saw the zombies approach the house

3. (slang, figuratively) to catch, to get hold of

   De haffade en taxi

   They caught a taxi

   Han försökte haffa en tjej

   He tried to pick up a girl (only sense known to many younger native speakers)

   Ska du haffa?

   Are you going to try to pick her up?

Fula Ordboken and Slangopedia say hit on rather than pick up.

• haffa in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• haffa in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• haffa in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)
• Fula Ordboken
• Slangopedia