Bedeutung
Moving out of the way.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Swedes have a high 'power distance' in public spaces but low in offices. 'Gå åt sidan' is a tool for maintaining that public distance. Stepping aside is seen as a sign of 'prestigelöshet' (lack of ego/pretension), a highly valued trait in Swedish leaders. In the Stockholm metro, there is a strict rule: stand on the right, walk on the left. If you stand on the left, someone will tell you to 'gå åt sidan'. The phrase appears in many 20th-century novels to describe the transition from old agrarian society to modern industrialism.
Softening the blow
Always add 'lite' (a little) to make the request sound less like a command: 'Kan du gå lite åt sidan?'
Tone matters
If you say 'Gå åt sidan!' with a falling, sharp intonation, it sounds very angry. Keep your voice light.
Bedeutung
Moving out of the way.
Softening the blow
Always add 'lite' (a little) to make the request sound less like a command: 'Kan du gå lite åt sidan?'
Tone matters
If you say 'Gå åt sidan!' with a falling, sharp intonation, it sounds very angry. Keep your voice light.
The 'Ursäkta' combo
The most natural way to use this is: 'Ursäkta, kan jag komma förbi? Tack för att du gick åt sidan.'
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing preposition.
Kan du gå ___ sidan?
'Åt' is the correct preposition for direction in this idiom.
Which sentence is a polite way to ask someone to move?
Välj det artigaste alternativet:
Adding 'kan du' and 'tack' makes the phrase polite.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ursäkta, jag ser inte TV:n. B: Oj, förlåt! Jag ska ______.
The context requires moving out of the way.
Match the phrase to the situation.
När en politiker lämnar sitt jobb, säger man att hen...
This is the metaphorical use for resigning.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKan du gå ___ sidan?
'Åt' is the correct preposition for direction in this idiom.
Välj det artigaste alternativet:
Adding 'kan du' and 'tack' makes the phrase polite.
A: Ursäkta, jag ser inte TV:n. B: Oj, förlåt! Jag ska ______.
The context requires moving out of the way.
När en politiker lämnar sitt jobb, säger man att hen...
This is the metaphorical use for resigning.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot inherently, but it depends on your tone. Using it as a question is always better.
No, use 'köra åt sidan' for vehicles.
'Stiga' is more formal and often used for stepping down from a job.
No, that sounds like you are going to a specific place called 'The Side'.
Yes, to let faster runners or skiers pass.
Yes, metaphorically it is very common in business and politics.
Use 'flytta på dig' or 'gör plats', not 'gå åt sidan'.
In this specific idiom of moving out of the way, yes.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'gå i vägen' means to be in the way.
No, for objects use 'flytta på' (e.g., 'flytta på stolen').
Verwandte Redewendungen
Flytta på sig
similarTo move oneself
Stiga åt sidan
synonymTo step aside
Vika undan
specialized formTo swerve/dodge
Lämna företräde
similarTo give way
Backa
contrastTo back up
