Signification
To help someone.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'gentjänst' is vital. If someone does you a favor, you are socially expected to 'pay it back' eventually, though not necessarily immediately. This maintains 'lagom' (balance) in relationships. Similar to Sweden, but the tone can be slightly more direct. Favors are often related to practical survival in harsh weather (e.g., helping someone shovel snow). In the US, 'doing a favor' is often accompanied by 'no problem' or 'you're welcome'. In Sweden, the response is often 'det var så lite' (it was so little), downplaying the effort to avoid making the other person feel too indebted. While Swedes use 'tjänst' for peers, Japanese culture uses different verbs based on the status of the person helping, making the Swedish phrase feel very egalitarian in comparison.
Softening the request
Add 'liten' (small) to make the favor seem easier to do: 'Kan du göra mig en liten tjänst?'
Avoid 'Ge'
Never say 'ge en tjänst'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
To help someone.
Softening the request
Add 'liten' (small) to make the favor seem easier to do: 'Kan du göra mig en liten tjänst?'
Avoid 'Ge'
Never say 'ge en tjänst'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
The 'Gentjänst' rule
If someone does you a big favor, mention that you'll return it: 'Jag är skyldig dig en gentjänst!'
Fika as a favor
Sometimes offering to buy someone a fika is a way of asking for or thanking someone for a 'tjänst'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'göra'.
Igår ___ jag min granne en tjänst.
The sentence refers to 'igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you ask a friend for a favor?
In Swedish, we use 'göra' and the person comes directly after the verb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jag hinner inte handla idag. B: Jag kan ___ dig en tjänst och handla åt dig.
The phrase is 'göra någon en tjänst'.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common variations of the word 'tjänst'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Göra vs. Ge
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIgår ___ jag min granne en tjänst.
The sentence refers to 'igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense.
How do you ask a friend for a favor?
In Swedish, we use 'göra' and the person comes directly after the verb.
A: Jag hinner inte handla idag. B: Jag kan ___ dig en tjänst och handla åt dig.
The phrase is 'göra någon en tjänst'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common variations of the word 'tjänst'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Hjälp' is general help. 'Tjänst' is a specific act or favor. You can help someone for hours, but a favor is usually a specific task.
Yes, it's perfectly neutral and polite for a workplace setting.
Use the word 'gentjänst'. 'Jag ska göra dig en gentjänst.'
It's just a fixed collocation in Swedish. Think of it as 'making' a service happen.
No! It's a favor that ends up hurting the person. Avoid doing these!
It's better to say 'göra dig en tjänst'. The 'till' sounds clunky.
It's a favor done specifically because of a friendship, often implying a slight bending of rules.
Yes, that's what a shopkeeper or receptionist might say: 'Kan jag vara till tjänst?'
Start with 'Skulle du kunna göra mig en tjänst?' (Could you do me a favor?)
No, the 'tj' together makes a specific soft 'sh' sound.
Expressions liées
Be om en tjänst
similarTo ask for a favor
Göra en gentjänst
builds onTo return a favor
Göra en björntjänst
specialized formTo do a disservice (unintentional)
Ställa upp
synonymTo help out / step up
Vara till tjänst
specialized formTo be of service
