Bedeutung
Aiming for major goals.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is often used as a direct counter-narrative to 'Jantelagen', a cultural concept where individuals are discouraged from standing out or being too ambitious. While 'Think Big' is a core part of the American Dream, in Sweden, 'tänka stort' is often balanced with 'hållbarhet' (sustainability). Swedes think big, but they also think long-term and environmentally. The university city of Uppsala has a famous wall inscription about thinking 'rightly'. Modern students often joke that 'tänka stort' is more fun than 'tänka rätt'. Swedish management style is flat and consensus-based. 'Tänka stort' is often used by leaders to get the whole group to move toward a shared, ambitious vision.
The Adverb Rule
Remember that 'stort' is an adverb here. It never changes to 'stor' or 'stora' when used in this phrase.
Breaking Jante
If you want to sound like a modern, ambitious Swede, use this phrase. It signals that you are part of the new, globalized Sweden.
Bedeutung
Aiming for major goals.
The Adverb Rule
Remember that 'stort' is an adverb here. It never changes to 'stor' or 'stora' when used in this phrase.
Breaking Jante
If you want to sound like a modern, ambitious Swede, use this phrase. It signals that you are part of the new, globalized Sweden.
Don't overdo it
In very humble settings, saying 'Jag tänker stort' too often might make you seem arrogant. Read the room!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'stor' to complete the phrase.
Om vi vill förändra världen måste vi våga tänka _______.
We use the neuter form 'stort' because it acts as an adverb modifying the verb 'tänka'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a business context?
Välj rätt mening:
'Tänka stort' is the standard idiom for ambition. 'Tänka mycket' just means thinking a lot, and 'tänka stora planer' is grammatically awkward.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Jag är rädd att min idé är för galen. B: Nej, inte alls! I det här företaget uppmuntrar vi alla att _______.
'Tänka stort' fits the context of encouraging a 'crazy' or ambitious idea.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
När passar det bäst att säga 'Tänk stort!'?
Planning a world trip is a grand ambition that warrants 'thinking big'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Tänka Stort vs. Tänka Smått
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOm vi vill förändra världen måste vi våga tänka _______.
We use the neuter form 'stort' because it acts as an adverb modifying the verb 'tänka'.
Välj rätt mening:
'Tänka stort' is the standard idiom for ambition. 'Tänka mycket' just means thinking a lot, and 'tänka stora planer' is grammatically awkward.
A: Jag är rädd att min idé är för galen. B: Nej, inte alls! I det här företaget uppmuntrar vi alla att _______.
'Tänka stort' fits the context of encouraging a 'crazy' or ambitious idea.
När passar det bäst att säga 'Tänk stort!'?
Planning a world trip is a grand ambition that warrants 'thinking big'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, 'stort' is the adverbial form of 'stor'. It describes how you are thinking.
No, 'stora' is the plural adjective. You must use the adverb 'stort'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your friends.
The opposite is 'tänka smått' (to think small/narrowly).
Yes, it is a direct equivalent in meaning and usage.
Because the words 'tänka' and 'stor' are among the first words a student learns.
No, it is specifically for grand ambitions and visions.
In a way, yes—it is often used to encourage people to go beyond 'lagom'.
No, 'storhet' is a noun meaning 'greatness'. You would say 'drömma om storhet'.
Yes, especially in dramas about business or personal struggle.
Verwandte Redewendungen
drömma stort
similarTo dream big
sikta mot stjärnorna
similarAim for the stars
tänka smått
contrastTo think small
tänka utanför boxen
builds onThink outside the box
slå på stort
specialized formTo go all out / do something grandly
