Signification
Follow advice, not bad example.
Contexte culturel
In Sweden, this phrase is often used to diffuse the 'Jantelagen' tension. By admitting hypocrisy, you avoid sounding like you think you are better than others. In the US, this is often seen as a sign of 'bad parenting' in modern child-rearing books, which emphasize 'modeling behavior.' However, it remains a very common folk saying. The French equivalent is often used in political satire to mock the 'élite' who impose rules on the public that they do not follow themselves. Directly admitting hypocrisy is less common in Japan; instead, people might use more indirect ways to suggest that one's actions don't match their words.
Use it to diffuse tension
If someone catches you in a lie or a contradiction, saying this with a smile can turn a tense moment into a joke.
Don't use with your boss
Unless you have a very close relationship, telling your boss 'do as I say, not as I do' might sound disrespectful.
Signification
Follow advice, not bad example.
Use it to diffuse tension
If someone catches you in a lie or a contradiction, saying this with a smile can turn a tense moment into a joke.
Don't use with your boss
Unless you have a very close relationship, telling your boss 'do as I say, not as I do' might sound disrespectful.
The Swedish 'Wink'
Swedes often use this phrase ironically to mock themselves. It's a sign of self-awareness.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Gör som jag ______, inte som jag ______.
The standard proverb uses 'säger' (say) and 'gör' (do).
Which situation best fits the phrase?
A father tells his daughter not to eat candy before dinner, while he is secretly eating a chocolate bar.
This is the classic situation of giving advice while not following it.
Complete the dialogue.
Barn: 'Men du svär ju också!' Förälder: 'Jag vet, men ______.'
The parent is acknowledging their own bad behavior while maintaining the rule.
Match the phrase to the correct meaning.
Gör som jag säger, inte som jag gör
The phrase emphasizes the words over the actions.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Words vs. Actions
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesGör som jag ______, inte som jag ______.
The standard proverb uses 'säger' (say) and 'gör' (do).
A father tells his daughter not to eat candy before dinner, while he is secretly eating a chocolate bar.
This is the classic situation of giving advice while not following it.
Barn: 'Men du svär ju också!' Förälder: 'Jag vet, men ______.'
The parent is acknowledging their own bad behavior while maintaining the rule.
Gör som jag säger, inte som jag gör
The phrase emphasizes the words over the actions.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot necessarily. It depends on the tone. If said with a smile, it's self-deprecating. If said sternly, it can sound a bit bossy.
Probably not. You want to appear consistent and reliable in an interview. Admitting hypocrisy is usually not a good strategy there.
In Swedish, 'som' is used for comparisons of manner (how something is done). 'Vad' would mean 'what thing,' which doesn't fit the structure of this proverb.
Sometimes people just say 'Gör som jag säger!', but that loses the humorous admission of the second half.
Yes, but often ironically or when joking about their own bad habits with friends.
The opposite is 'Leva som man lär' (Live as one teaches/Practice what you preach).
Yes, if you want someone to copy your actions. 'Gör som jag gör' means 'Follow my lead.'
It's used to describe 'bad leadership' (ledarskap), but rarely as a positive management strategy.
It sounds like 'yur' with a soft 'y'. The 'g' is never hard like in 'goat'.
Yes, it is one of the most recognizable proverbs in the Swedish language.
Expressions liées
Leva som man lär
contrastTo practice what one preaches.
Sopa rent framför egen dörr
similarClean in front of your own door first.
Dubbelmoral
specialized formDouble standards / Hypocrisy.
Tomma ord
builds onEmpty words.
