Signification
Praising someone's effort.
Contexte culturel
In Danish offices, praise is often peer-to-peer. A boss is just as likely to say 'Godt gået' to an intern as the other way around. Danish sports culture emphasizes 'foreningsliv' (club life). 'Godt gået' is the soundtrack to every Saturday morning youth soccer game. Modern Danish parents use 'Godt gået' to encourage independence and effort in children, following a less authoritarian style. While similar phrases exist in Norway and Sweden, the specific use of 'walking' (gået) is a distinct Danish linguistic preference over 'doing' (gjort).
The Sarcasm Check
If someone drops their ice cream and you say 'Godt gået', you are being sarcastic. Use a flat tone for sarcasm and a rising, energetic tone for genuine praise.
Not for Birthdays
Never say 'Godt gået' to someone on their birthday. It sounds like you're surprised they survived another year!
Signification
Praising someone's effort.
The Sarcasm Check
If someone drops their ice cream and you say 'Godt gået', you are being sarcastic. Use a flat tone for sarcasm and a rising, energetic tone for genuine praise.
Not for Birthdays
Never say 'Godt gået' to someone on their birthday. It sounds like you're surprised they survived another year!
The 'Skide' Factor
Adding 'skide' (shit) before 'godt gået' is very common and not considered very rude. It just means 'really, really well done'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the praise.
Du bestod din køreprøve! ______ gået!
We use the adverb 'godt' to modify the participle 'gået'.
Match the situation with the correct response.
Your friend just finished a marathon.
A marathon is a physical achievement, making 'Godt gået' the perfect choice.
Which of these is the most common synonym for 'Godt gået'?
Vælg synonymet:
'Godt klaret' also means 'well done' or 'well managed'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg har endelig lært at bage rugbrød! B: _________! Det smager lækkert.
Person B is praising Person A's new skill.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say 'Godt gået'
Sports
- • Winning a game
- • Running a race
- • Scoring a goal
Work/School
- • Passing an exam
- • Finishing a project
- • Giving a speech
Personal
- • Learning a skill
- • Helping a friend
- • Fixing something
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDu bestod din køreprøve! ______ gået!
We use the adverb 'godt' to modify the participle 'gået'.
Your friend just finished a marathon.
A marathon is a physical achievement, making 'Godt gået' the perfect choice.
Vælg synonymet:
'Godt klaret' also means 'well done' or 'well managed'.
A: Jeg har endelig lært at bage rugbrød! B: _________! Det smager lækkert.
Person B is praising Person A's new skill.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! You can use it for anything from passing a huge exam to finally fixing a leaky faucet.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your kids, or your friends.
They are almost the same. 'Godt klaret' implies you 'managed' a difficult situation, while 'Godt gået' is more general praise.
Sure! It's common to think 'Godt gået, [Your Name]' when you finish something hard.
It's an old metaphor in Danish where life and tasks are seen as a journey or a walk.
It is always 'Godt gået' with a 't'.
Yes, it's a great way to end an email to a colleague who just finished a task.
Just say 'Tak!' (Thanks!) or 'Mange tak!' (Many thanks!).
Yes, it is a universal Danish expression used from Copenhagen to Jutland.
Yes, 'Godt gået, alle sammen!' (Well done, everyone!) is very common.
Expressions liées
Godt klaret
synonymWell managed
Flot gået
similarImpressively done
Stærkt gået
similarStrongly done
Tillykke
contrastCongratulations
Godt arbejde
specialized formGood work
Skide godt
builds onDamn good
