Bedeutung
To try hard.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'dugnad' or 'städdag' requires everyone to 'göra en ansträngning' for the community. Not participating is seen as very rude. Feedback is often indirect. If a boss says 'Du behöver göra en ansträngning här', it is actually a serious warning that your performance is low. Swedish schools emphasize 'process' over just 'results'. Making an effort can sometimes influence a grade even if the final result isn't perfect. When invited to a dinner, making an effort to speak Swedish (even if you are not fluent) is highly appreciated by locals.
Use with Adjectives
Always pair it with an adjective like 'extra', 'stor', or 'liten' to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't use 'Ta'
Never say 'ta en ansträngning'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
Bedeutung
To try hard.
Use with Adjectives
Always pair it with an adjective like 'extra', 'stor', or 'liten' to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't use 'Ta'
Never say 'ta en ansträngning'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
The 'Lagom' Effort
In Sweden, making *too much* of an effort can sometimes be seen as 'skrytsamt' (boastful). Aim for a solid, steady effort.
Verb vs Noun
If you're tired of saying 'göra en ansträngning', switch to 'anstränga sig'. It means the same thing but sounds more natural in casual talk.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'göra'.
Igår _______ jag en stor ansträngning för att städa hela huset.
The sentence refers to 'igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'gjorde'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the right option:
'Ansträngning' is an 'en'-word and it uses the verb 'göra'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Varför fick du inte jobbet? B: Jag vet inte, jag _______ verkligen en ansträngning under intervjun.
The speaker is talking about a past event (the interview).
Match the adjective to the context of the effort.
Match: 1. Gemensam, 2. Fysisk, 3. Sista
Gemensam = Joint/Group, Fysisk = Physical, Sista = Final.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Försöka vs. Göra en ansträngning
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIgår _______ jag en stor ansträngning för att städa hela huset.
The sentence refers to 'igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'gjorde'.
Select the right option:
'Ansträngning' is an 'en'-word and it uses the verb 'göra'.
A: Varför fick du inte jobbet? B: Jag vet inte, jag _______ verkligen en ansträngning under intervjun.
The speaker is talking about a past event (the interview).
Match: 1. Gemensam, 2. Fysisk, 3. Sista
Gemensam = Joint/Group, Fysisk = Physical, Sista = Final.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes! 'Vi har gjort många ansträngningar' (We have made many efforts).
'Försöka' is just 'to try'. 'Göra en ansträngning' implies you are working hard at it.
You say 'Det är inte värt ansträngningen'.
It is always 'en ansträngning'.
Yes, but 'träna' or 'ta i' is more common for the gym.
Only if you use it for something very easy, like 'Gjorde du en ansträngning att borsta tänderna?'.
To 'inte lyfta ett finger' (not lift a finger) or 'slappa' (to be lazy).
Yes, 'Tack för att du gör en ansträngning för oss' (Thanks for making an effort for us).
Etymologically yes, both involve tension and pressure.
Jag gör en ansträngning för att lära mig.
Very common, especially regarding politics and climate.
Verwandte Redewendungen
anstränga sig
similarTo exert oneself
lägga manken till
idiomaticTo put one's back into it
göra sitt yttersta
builds onTo do one's utmost
kämpa på
similarTo keep struggling/fighting
ge järnet
slangTo give it your all (give the iron)
