Bedeutung
To feel one is better than performing a task.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a direct violation of 'Janteloven'. In Denmark, acting like you are 'too good' for something is one of the quickest ways to lose social points. Danish workplaces are very flat. A CEO who 'holder sig for god til' to empty the dishwasher will be viewed very negatively by staff. Similar attitudes exist in Norway and Sweden, where 'jordnærhed' (being down-to-earth) is a highly prized virtue. While Denmark is egalitarian, there is still a 'kulturel overklasse' (cultural upper class) that might 'holde sig for god til' reality TV or pop music.
The 'Jante' Connection
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a local criticizing someone's ego. It's very 'Danish' to use it.
Reflexive Pronouns
Don't forget to change 'sig' to 'mig' if you are talking about yourself! 'Jeg holder mig...'
Bedeutung
To feel one is better than performing a task.
The 'Jante' Connection
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a local criticizing someone's ego. It's very 'Danish' to use it.
Reflexive Pronouns
Don't forget to change 'sig' to 'mig' if you are talking about yourself! 'Jeg holder mig...'
Moral vs. Snob
Pay attention to the context. If the task is 'dirty', it's snobbery. If the task is 'wrong', it's moral integrity.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing reflexive pronoun and preposition.
Hun holder ___ for god ___ at tage bussen.
The subject is 'Hun', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'sig'. The preposition is always 'til'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Which one is right?
'Gode' is plural to match 'Vi', and 'til' is the correct preposition.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. 'Jeg holder mig for god til at lyve.' 2. 'Han holder sig for god til at vaske op.'
Lying is an ethical issue; washing dishes is a status/task issue.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal du med i Netto? B: Nej, jeg handler kun i Irma. A: Hold dig nu ikke ___!
This fits the context of shopping snobbery perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHun holder ___ for god ___ at tage bussen.
The subject is 'Hun', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'sig'. The preposition is always 'til'.
Which one is right?
'Gode' is plural to match 'Vi', and 'til' is the correct preposition.
1. 'Jeg holder mig for god til at lyve.' 2. 'Han holder sig for god til at vaske op.'
Lying is an ethical issue; washing dishes is a status/task issue.
A: Skal du med i Netto? B: Nej, jeg handler kun i Irma. A: Hold dig nu ikke ___!
This fits the context of shopping snobbery perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenOnly if you want to imply the person is being a snob about it. If they just don't like it, use 'kan ikke lide'.
No, it can be positive when referring to moral standards, like refusing to gossip.
Technically 'at holde sig for gode til', but 'god' is often used in speech.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper article.
No, that is a common mistake influenced by English. Always use 'til'.
Jeg holder mig ikke for god til det.
You can say 'at være for fin til noget'.
Usually it applies to people, but you can say a company 'holder sig for god til' certain marketing tactics.
'Sig' is for 'him/her/them', 'jer' is for 'you (plural)'.
Yes, it's used all over Denmark, though the 'Jante' sentiment is often stronger in smaller towns.
Verwandte Redewendungen
at være for fin på den
similarTo act posh or pretentious.
at se ned på
similarTo look down on someone.
at være jordnær
contrastTo be down-to-earth.
at føle sig hævet over
synonymTo feel raised above something.
