Bedeutung
To be firm and hold one's values.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Civilkurage' is a national ideal. Schools often teach children to have 'ryggrad' to prevent bullying. Flat hierarchies in Sweden mean that even junior employees are expected to 'ha ryggrad' and speak up if they see something wrong. Swedish media is very quick to label politicians as 'ryggradslösa' if they change their stance due to opinion polls. During WWII, the term was used for those who stood up against Nazi influence in Sweden, despite the official policy of neutrality.
Use it for praise
If you want to impress a Swedish boss, tell them you value 'ryggrad' in a team. It shows you value integrity over blind obedience.
Don't over-use 'ryggradslös'
It is a very strong insult. Calling someone spineless can end a friendship or a professional relationship.
Bedeutung
To be firm and hold one's values.
Use it for praise
If you want to impress a Swedish boss, tell them you value 'ryggrad' in a team. It shows you value integrity over blind obedience.
Don't over-use 'ryggradslös'
It is a very strong insult. Calling someone spineless can end a friendship or a professional relationship.
The 'Lagom' balance
Swedes value consensus, but they respect 'ryggrad' even more. It's the exception to the rule of blending in.
Teste dich selbst
Fyll i rätt form av 'ryggrad' eller 'ryggradslös'.
Han vågade inte säga sanningen, han var helt ______.
Since he didn't dare tell the truth, he is described as 'spineless' (ryggradslös).
Vilket alternativ betyder samma sak som 'att ha ryggrad'?
Att ha ryggrad innebär att man...
Standing for one's values is the figurative meaning of having a backbone.
Slutför dialogen med ett passande uttryck.
A: Chefen vill att vi ljuger för kunden. B: Det tänker jag inte göra. Man måste ______.
In a situation involving ethics, 'ha ryggrad' is the correct idiom.
Matcha påståendet med rätt person.
Vem har ryggrad?
Admitting a mistake despite consequences shows moral courage.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ryggrad vs. Envis
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHan vågade inte säga sanningen, han var helt ______.
Since he didn't dare tell the truth, he is described as 'spineless' (ryggradslös).
Att ha ryggrad innebär att man...
Standing for one's values is the figurative meaning of having a backbone.
A: Chefen vill att vi ljuger för kunden. B: Det tänker jag inte göra. Man måste ______.
In a situation involving ethics, 'ha ryggrad' is the correct idiom.
Vem har ryggrad?
Admitting a mistake despite consequences shows moral courage.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper article or while having a beer with friends.
Only metaphorically, like 'ryggraden i systemet' (the backbone of the system).
The opposite is 'att sakna ryggrad' or 'att vara ryggradslös'.
No, it is completely gender-neutral.
Usually, we drop the 'en' in the figurative sense: 'Han har ryggrad.'
Similar, but 'ha stake' is more slang and can be seen as slightly vulgar.
It's like the 'ee' in 'see' but with very rounded lips.
Yes, it's a great way to describe your integrity.
No, 'envis' is stubborn. 'Ryggrad' is about being principled.
Yes, it is one of the most common metaphors for character in Swedish.
Verwandte Redewendungen
visa framfötterna
similarTo show what one is capable of
stå på sig
similarTo stand one's ground
ha skinn på näsan
similarTo be tough/assertive
vända kappan efter vinden
contrastTo change opinions to suit the majority
vara rakryggad
specialized formTo be upright/honest
