Signification
To say sorry for something done wrong.
Contexte culturel
Swedes value 'consensus' and 'flat hierarchy'. Apologizing is seen as a way to maintain equality and move forward, rather than a sign of weakness. In contrast to Sweden, Japanese apologies often involve different levels of bowing and specific honorifics depending on the social status of the person being apologized to. In American culture, apologies can sometimes be seen as an admission of legal liability, leading to the use of 'non-apology apologies' in corporate settings. Similar to Sweden, Finns value directness. An apology should be brief and sincere without unnecessary fluff.
The 'För att' rule
When apologizing for an action, use 'för att' followed by a clause: 'Jag ber om ursäkt för att jag glömde...'
Don't say 'Säger ursäkt'
This is a common mistake for English speakers. Always use the verb 'be' (ask).
Signification
To say sorry for something done wrong.
The 'För att' rule
When apologizing for an action, use 'för att' followed by a clause: 'Jag ber om ursäkt för att jag glömde...'
Don't say 'Säger ursäkt'
This is a common mistake for English speakers. Always use the verb 'be' (ask).
The 'Pudel'
If you want to sound very advanced, use the phrase 'göra en hel pudel' to describe a very humble apology.
Keep it sincere
In Sweden, a short, sincere apology is better than a long, dramatic one.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'be'.
Igår ___ han om ursäkt för sitt beteende.
The sentence refers to 'igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'bad'.
Which preposition is used with 'be om ursäkt'?
Jag vill be ___ ursäkt.
The fixed expression is always 'be om ursäkt'.
Match the apology to the situation.
Situation: You are writing a formal email to a client because a project is late.
This is the most professional and appropriate choice for a formal email.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Varför ringde du inte? B: Jag vet, jag ___.
'Måste be om ursäkt' (must apologize) fits the context of acknowledging a failure to call.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Förlåt vs. Be om ursäkt
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIgår ___ han om ursäkt för sitt beteende.
The sentence refers to 'igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'bad'.
Jag vill be ___ ursäkt.
The fixed expression is always 'be om ursäkt'.
Situation: You are writing a formal email to a client because a project is late.
This is the most professional and appropriate choice for a formal email.
A: Varför ringde du inte? B: Jag vet, jag ___.
'Måste be om ursäkt' (must apologize) fits the context of acknowledging a failure to call.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is neutral to formal. It's the standard way to apologize in writing and serious conversations.
No, 'Ursäkt' is a noun. You must say 'Ursäkta' (Excuse me) or 'Jag ber om ursäkt'.
The past tense is 'bad'. Example: 'Han bad om ursäkt igår'.
Use 'å [någons] vägnar'. Example: 'Jag ber om ursäkt å min sons vägnar'.
'Förlåt' is an interjection (Sorry!), while 'be om ursäkt' is the verb phrase (to apologize).
Only for very serious matters, like hurting someone deeply or in a religious context.
Yes, it's very common in texts when you want to be a bit more sincere than just saying 'sry'.
It's a fixed prepositional phrase. In Swedish, you 'ask about/for' (be om) things.
It's the imperative form of the verb 'ursäkta', used as 'Excuse me'.
Yes, it is the most common way to apologize in Swedish business culture.
Jag vill be om ursäkt.
It's possible, but 'be om ursäkt' (without 'en') is much more common as a fixed expression.
Expressions liées
be om förlåtelse
similarTo ask for forgiveness
ursäkta mig
similarExcuse me
beklaga
similarTo regret / To offer condolences
göra en pudel
specialized formTo make a total, humble public apology
förlåta
builds onTo forgive
