Bedeutung
Changing one's opinion completely.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Sweden, making a 'kovändning' is often linked to the concept of a 'pudel' (poodle). If a politician makes a U-turn and apologizes, it's called 'att göra en hel pudel'. Journalists love this word. It is one of the most frequently used idioms in political reporting in Sweden, especially during election years. Swedish business culture values 'förankring' (getting everyone on board). A sudden 'kovändning' by a leader without consulting the team can be seen as very poor leadership. The nautical origin is still taught in Swedish sailing schools, though the figurative meaning is much more common in daily life.
Use it in Job Interviews
If asked about a mistake, describe how you made a 'kovändning' after receiving new data. It shows you are data-driven and humble.
Don't over-use it
If you use it for every small change, it loses its impact. Save it for the big 180s.
Bedeutung
Changing one's opinion completely.
Use it in Job Interviews
If asked about a mistake, describe how you made a 'kovändning' after receiving new data. It shows you are data-driven and humble.
Don't over-use it
If you use it for every small change, it loses its impact. Save it for the big 180s.
The 'Poodle' Connection
If you hear someone say 'han gjorde en hel pudel', they usually mean he made a 'kovändning' AND apologized for it.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'göra'.
Igår _______ han en kovändning och sa ja till förslaget.
The sentence starts with 'Igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'gjorde'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'göra en kovändning'?
Which of these is a 'kovändning'?
A 'kovändning' is a complete reversal of an opinion or policy.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ska vi äta sushi? B: Men du sa ju nyss att du hatar fisk! A: Jag vet, jag _______.
The speaker is changing their mind about an opinion (hating fish).
Match the adjective to the 'kovändning'.
Match 'Total', 'Plötslig', and 'Politisk' with the correct context.
These are common collocations for the idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIgår _______ han en kovändning och sa ja till förslaget.
The sentence starts with 'Igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'gjorde'.
Which of these is a 'kovändning'?
A 'kovändning' is a complete reversal of an opinion or policy.
A: Ska vi äta sushi? B: Men du sa ju nyss att du hatar fisk! A: Jag vet, jag _______.
The speaker is changing their mind about an opinion (hating fish).
Match 'Total', 'Plötslig', and 'Politisk' with the correct context.
These are common collocations for the idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's neutral. However, calling someone's decision a 'kovändning' can imply they are inconsistent.
Yes! 'Jag gjorde en kovändning och beställde efterrätt ändå.' (I did a U-turn and ordered dessert anyway.)
They are almost identical. 'Kovändning' is more common in news; 'helomvändning' sounds slightly more formal or physical.
It comes from a Dutch sailing term. Cows are known for being slow and heavy, much like the maneuver itself.
Absolutely. It is very common in business reports and political analysis.
It's better to say 'en liten ändring'. A 'kovändning' is usually total.
Gör (present), gjorde (past), gjort (perfect).
Yes, very. You will hear it in podcasts, TV shows, and daily talk.
Yes, 'kovändningar', but it's most common in the singular.
The best equivalent is 'to do a U-turn' or 'to do a 180'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Vända kappan efter vinden
similarTo change opinions to suit the current trend.
Göra en helomvändning
synonymTo do a complete about-face.
Vända på en femöring
similarTo turn on a dime.
Ändra sig
builds onTo change one's mind.
