A1 Idiom غیر رسمی

Sätta sig på tvären

Be stubborn

معنی

Refusing to cooperate.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In Sweden, 'consensus culture' is king. Being the one who 'sätter sig på tvären' is often seen as a major social faux pas because it disrupts the group harmony. The phrase is a staple in Swedish political journalism, especially when describing 'vågmästare' (kingmaker) parties that use their small size to block big legislation. Swedish parenting often emphasizes dialogue, but when a child is 'trotsig' (defiant), parents will frequently use this phrase to describe the behavior to other adults. In Swedish offices, 'sätta sig på tvären' is often used behind someone's back to complain about a colleague who isn't being a 'team player'.

💡

The 'Sig' Rule

Always remember the reflexive pronoun! It's the most common mistake for learners.

⚠️

Don't be too rude

Telling someone 'Sätt dig inte på tvären' can be quite direct and slightly rude. Use it carefully with superiors.

معنی

Refusing to cooperate.

💡

The 'Sig' Rule

Always remember the reflexive pronoun! It's the most common mistake for learners.

⚠️

Don't be too rude

Telling someone 'Sätt dig inte på tvären' can be quite direct and slightly rude. Use it carefully with superiors.

🎯

Political Reading

If you read Swedish newspapers, look for this phrase in the 'Ledare' (Editorial) section. It's used constantly to describe party friction.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.

Varför måste du alltid sätta ___ på tvären?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: dig

Since the subject is 'du' (you), the reflexive pronoun must be 'dig'.

What does the phrase mean in this sentence: 'Facket satte sig på tvären'?

Facket satte sig på tvären angående de nya reglerna.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: The union refused to cooperate with the new rules.

'Sätta sig på tvären' means to block or refuse to cooperate.

Choose the best response to complete the dialogue.

A: Ska vi äta pizza ikväll? B: Nej, jag vill inte ha pizza. Jag vill inte ha någonting. A: Men snälla...

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: ...sätt dig inte på tvären nu.

Person A is asking Person B to stop being difficult and cooperate with the dinner plan.

Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.

Which situation best fits 'sätta sig på tvären'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A politician blocking a law because they want more power.

This involves intentional obstruction or refusal to cooperate.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun. جای خالی A1

Varför måste du alltid sätta ___ på tvären?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: dig

Since the subject is 'du' (you), the reflexive pronoun must be 'dig'.

What does the phrase mean in this sentence: 'Facket satte sig på tvären'? Choose A2

Facket satte sig på tvären angående de nya reglerna.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: The union refused to cooperate with the new rules.

'Sätta sig på tvären' means to block or refuse to cooperate.

Choose the best response to complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: Ska vi äta pizza ikväll? B: Nej, jag vill inte ha pizza. Jag vill inte ha någonting. A: Men snälla...

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: ...sätt dig inte på tvären nu.

Person A is asking Person B to stop being difficult and cooperate with the dinner plan.

Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase. situation_matching A2

Which situation best fits 'sätta sig på tvären'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A politician blocking a law because they want more power.

This involves intentional obstruction or refusal to cooperate.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No, it's only for people or organizations. For a car, you would say 'Bilen vill inte starta' or 'Bilen krånglar'.

It is always 'på tvären'. 'I tvären' is incorrect.

Yes, similar versions exist (e.g., Danish 'sætte sig på tværs'), but the Swedish 'på tvären' is very specific to Sweden.

Yes, you can add 'mot [person]' to show who they are opposing.

Only if you are describing a past conflict you resolved. Don't use it to describe your own current attitude!

'Envis' is an adjective (stubborn). 'Sätta sig på tvären' is the action of being stubborn in a specific situation.

Usually, yes. It implies the person is being difficult. However, it can be used admiringly for someone with strong principles, but that's rare.

Yes! 'De satte sig på tvären' (They dug their heels in).

Jag sätter mig på tvären.

You could say someone is 'tvärvägrar' (flatly refusing) or just being 'omöjlig' (impossible).

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

Sätta käppar i hjulet

similar

To put sticks in the wheel (sabotage).

🔄

Vara motvalls

synonym

To be contrary/stubborn.

🔗

Gå med på

contrast

To agree to something.

🔗

Tvärvägra

builds on

To flatly refuse.

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