Signification
To think one is too good for something.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a direct weapon against those who violate 'Janteloven'. In Norway, being 'folkelig' (down-to-earth) is a high virtue, even for royalty or billionaires. Flat hierarchy is standard in Norway. A CEO who 'holder seg for god' for basic tasks will quickly lose the respect of their employees. Modern 'influencer' culture in Norway often faces backlash using this phrase if they appear too disconnected from 'normal' life. In rural Norway (Bygda), this phrase is used even more strictly to keep people from acting 'urban' or 'fancy'.
Use it in the negative
Saying 'Jeg holder meg ikke for god for...' is a great way to show you are humble and hardworking in a Norwegian context.
Careful with the tone
This phrase is quite strong. If you say it to someone's face, expect a conflict. It's usually used to talk *about* someone.
Signification
To think one is too good for something.
Use it in the negative
Saying 'Jeg holder meg ikke for god for...' is a great way to show you are humble and hardworking in a Norwegian context.
Careful with the tone
This phrase is quite strong. If you say it to someone's face, expect a conflict. It's usually used to talk *about* someone.
The Dugnad Rule
Never hold yourself for god for a 'dugnad' (community work day). It is the fastest way to become unpopular in a Norwegian neighborhood.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
Han er så arrogant! Han holder ___ ___ god ___ å hjelpe oss.
The full phrase is 'holde seg for god for'. You need the reflexive 'seg' and both 'for' prepositions.
Which sentence is a typical Norwegian social critique?
A: Han er flink til å vaske. B: Han holder seg for god for å vaske. C: Han vasker ikke i dag. D: Han liker ikke å vaske.
Sentence B implies he thinks he is too superior to wash, which is a common social criticism.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
Kari: Skal ikke sjefen være med på dugnaden? Per: Nei, han ______.
The reflexive 'seg' matches the subject 'han', and 'for god for det' is the correct idiomatic structure.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the phrase.
Situation: A billionaire refuses to fly economy class.
The billionaire thinks economy class is beneath his status.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHan er så arrogant! Han holder ___ ___ god ___ å hjelpe oss.
The full phrase is 'holde seg for god for'. You need the reflexive 'seg' and both 'for' prepositions.
A: Han er flink til å vaske. B: Han holder seg for god for å vaske. C: Han vasker ikke i dag. D: Han liker ikke å vaske.
Sentence B implies he thinks he is too superior to wash, which is a common social criticism.
Kari: Skal ikke sjefen være med på dugnaden? Per: Nei, han ______.
The reflexive 'seg' matches the subject 'han', and 'for god for det' is the correct idiomatic structure.
Situation: A billionaire refuses to fly economy class.
The billionaire thinks economy class is beneath his status.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, it implies you think the thing is beneath your status. If you don't like pizza, don't use it. If you think pizza is 'peasant food,' then you use it.
90% of the time, yes. Occasionally, it's used to say someone is too ethical to do something bad, which is positive.
Yes! 'Jeg holder meg', 'Du holder deg', etc. This is the most common grammar mistake for learners.
In this specific idiom, it usually stays 'god' even for plural subjects, though 'holde seg for gode' is also grammatically acceptable and used by some.
Expressions liées
å være høy på pæra
similarTo be stuck-up or arrogant.
å se ned på
similarTo look down on someone.
å heve seg over
contrastTo rise above something.
å være for fin på det
synonymTo be too 'fancy' for something.
