Bedeutung
To subtly check someone's opinion or reaction.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Swedish business culture, 'känna sig för' is a vital part of 'förankring' (anchoring). This is the process of getting everyone on board with an idea before it's officially decided. The phrase reflects the Swedish value of 'lagom' and avoiding 'konflikt'. Being too direct is often seen as 'osvenskt' (un-Swedish). In Finland-Swedish, the phrase is also common, but Finnish culture can sometimes be more direct. However, 'känna sig för' remains a useful tool for diplomacy. When working with Swedes, if they say they want to 'känna sig för', it usually means they aren't ready to say 'yes' yet and need to check with their team.
The 'Lite' Softener
Always add 'lite' (a little) after the phrase to sound extra Swedish and diplomatic: 'Jag ska känna mig för lite'.
Don't forget 'sig'!
Without the reflexive pronoun, the meaning changes completely to 'feeling like doing something'.
Bedeutung
To subtly check someone's opinion or reaction.
The 'Lite' Softener
Always add 'lite' (a little) after the phrase to sound extra Swedish and diplomatic: 'Jag ska känna mig för lite'.
Don't forget 'sig'!
Without the reflexive pronoun, the meaning changes completely to 'feeling like doing something'.
The Art of the Pause
When you 'känner dig för', allow for silence. Swedes use silence to process information. Don't rush to fill it.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing reflexive pronoun and particle.
Jag vill inte fråga direkt, så jag ska känna ____ ____ lite först.
Since the subject is 'Jag', the reflexive pronoun must be 'mig'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'testing the waters'?
A: Jag känner för en glass. B: Jag känner mig för om de vill ha glass. C: Jag känner efter glassen.
B uses the reflexive 'mig' and the particle 'för' to mean gauging interest.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to ask for a promotion but aren't sure if the company is doing well financially.
You are gauging an external situation before acting.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ska du sälja lägenheten? B: Jag vet inte än, jag ska bara ____ ____ ____ på marknaden först.
The speaker (B) is talking about their own action.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Känna sig för vs. Känna efter
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenJag vill inte fråga direkt, så jag ska känna ____ ____ lite först.
Since the subject is 'Jag', the reflexive pronoun must be 'mig'.
A: Jag känner för en glass. B: Jag känner mig för om de vill ha glass. C: Jag känner efter glassen.
B uses the reflexive 'mig' and the particle 'för' to mean gauging interest.
You want to ask for a promotion but aren't sure if the company is doing well financially.
You are gauging an external situation before acting.
A: Ska du sälja lägenheten? B: Jag vet inte än, jag ska bara ____ ____ ____ på marknaden först.
The speaker (B) is talking about their own action.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting. For very formal writing, use 'sondera'.
Yes, literally feeling your way in the dark. 'Han kände sig för längs väggen'.
'Testa' is more direct and active. 'Känna sig för' is more subtle and observational.
Yes, in this idiom it must always have mig, dig, sig, oss, or er.
Yes! 'Känna sig fram' is a very close synonym, often used for physical navigation or finding a solution to a problem step-by-step.
Use 'kände': 'Jag kände mig för igår'.
Extremely. It's the standard way to describe not being too pushy when you like someone.
In some cultures, maybe. In Sweden, it sounds wise and socially intelligent.
Not really. For food, you would 'smaka' (taste) or 'känna efter om det är gott'.
The opposite would be 'att kliva rakt in' (to step straight in) or 'att vara framfusig' (to be pushy).
Verwandte Redewendungen
sondera terrängen
synonymTo probe the terrain
loda stämningen
similarTo plumb the mood
känna på pulsen
similarTo feel the pulse
känna efter
contrastTo feel within/wait
sticka ut hakan
contrastTo stick one's chin out
