Signification
Trying as hard as possible.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often used to balance 'Jantelagen' (the Law of Jante). While you shouldn't brag about being better than others, you are expected to 'göra ditt yttersta' to contribute to the group. In Swedish 'fika' culture, work-life balance is key, but when a deadline approaches, 'göra sitt yttersta' becomes the mantra for the whole team. Swedish sports commentators use this phrase to praise effort even when a team loses, reflecting a culture that values the 'struggle' as much as the 'win'. Swedish politicians use this phrase to show accountability. It is a way of saying 'we are doing everything we can' without promising a specific result.
The Interview Winner
Use this phrase in job interviews to sound more professional and committed than just saying 'Jag jobbar hårt'.
The Pronoun Trap
Always double-check your pronoun! 'Jag gör sitt yttersta' is the most common mistake for foreigners.
Signification
Trying as hard as possible.
The Interview Winner
Use this phrase in job interviews to sound more professional and committed than just saying 'Jag jobbar hårt'.
The Pronoun Trap
Always double-check your pronoun! 'Jag gör sitt yttersta' is the most common mistake for foreigners.
Don't Overuse
If you say you're doing your 'yttersta' for every small thing, Swedes might think you're being dramatic or insincere.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct reflexive possessive pronoun (mitt, ditt, sitt, vårt, ert).
Vi måste göra ____ yttersta för att vinna.
The subject is 'Vi' (We), so the pronoun must be 'vårt' (our).
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a job interview?
How would you tell an employer you will work hard?
'Göra mitt yttersta' is the correct idiomatic form for a formal setting.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: Kan du laga min dator? B: Jag är ingen expert, men jag ska ____.
Speaker B is talking about themselves, so 'mitt' is required.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'Regeringen gör sitt yttersta'?
The phrase is common in formal, official contexts like government announcements.
Match the subject to the correct pronoun.
1. Jag, 2. Du, 3. De, 4. Ni
These are the standard reflexive possessive pairings in Swedish.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Göra sitt yttersta'
Work
- • Interviews
- • Deadlines
- • Presentations
Personal
- • Learning Swedish
- • Helping friends
- • Health goals
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesVi måste göra ____ yttersta för att vinna.
The subject is 'Vi' (We), so the pronoun must be 'vårt' (our).
How would you tell an employer you will work hard?
'Göra mitt yttersta' is the correct idiomatic form for a formal setting.
A: Kan du laga min dator? B: Jag är ingen expert, men jag ska ____.
Speaker B is talking about themselves, so 'mitt' is required.
Where would you most likely hear 'Regeringen gör sitt yttersta'?
The phrase is common in formal, official contexts like government announcements.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard reflexive possessive pairings in Swedish.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is more formal and implies a higher level of intensity and commitment.
Yes, it's very common in sports to describe pushing your body to the limit.
No, in this specific phrase, it always stays as 'yttersta'.
'Ytterst' is an adverb meaning 'extremely'. 'Yttersta' is the definite adjective used in this idiom.
Yes, 'ge järnet' or 'köra hårt' are common informal alternatives.
Yes, but it might sound a bit serious. 'Göra mitt bästa' is more common with friends.
Shape your lips as if you are going to whistle, then try to say 'ee'.
Very often, especially when reporting on government actions or rescue missions.
Yes: 'Jag gjorde mitt yttersta'.
No, it only describes the effort. You can do your 'yttersta' and still fail.
Expressions liées
göra sitt bästa
similarTo do one's best.
ge järnet
synonymTo give it your all (slang).
ta i
builds onTo exert oneself.
bjuda till
similarTo make an effort/to be helpful.
anstränga sig
similarTo strain/exert oneself.
