Signification
To begin an action.
Contexte culturel
Swedes value 'lagom' (just the right amount) and consensus. 'Sätta i gång' is often the phrase that signals the end of the consensus-building phase and the start of the action phase. The transition from 'fika' (coffee break) to work is a distinct social ritual. Using 'Ska vi sätta i gång?' is the polite way to tell colleagues that break time is over. Swedes love home improvement. 'Sätta i gång' is the most common phrase used in hardware stores and DIY blogs to encourage people to start their projects. In Swedish universities, 'sätta i gång' is used by professors to start lectures or by students to start study groups, emphasizing a collaborative start.
The 'Med' Rule
Always remember to add 'med' if you mention the task. 'Sätta i gång med disken' is 100% more natural than 'Sätta i gång disken'.
Don't over-formalize
In a very formal speech, use 'påbörja' or 'inleda'. 'Sätta i gång' is perfect for 95% of daily life, but might sound too 'active' for a funeral or a royal wedding.
Signification
To begin an action.
The 'Med' Rule
Always remember to add 'med' if you mention the task. 'Sätta i gång med disken' is 100% more natural than 'Sätta i gång disken'.
Don't over-formalize
In a very formal speech, use 'påbörja' or 'inleda'. 'Sätta i gång' is perfect for 95% of daily life, but might sound too 'active' for a funeral or a royal wedding.
The Fika Signal
If you want to be a polite leader in Sweden, use 'Ska vi sätta i gång?' to end a break. It's much nicer than saying 'Back to work!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
Nu har vi fikat klart, ska vi ______ i ______?
The standard phrase is 'sätta i gång'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
I'm starting with the dishes.
You need the preposition 'med' when starting a specific task.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Varför sitter du bara där? B: Jag vet inte, jag har svårt att ______.
'Komma i gång' is the standard way to say 'get started' or 'get into the flow'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to tell your friend to start the car engine.
While 'sätta i gång' can be used for machines, 'starta' is the most natural word for a car engine.
Use the correct past tense form.
De ______ i gång med renoveringen förra veckan.
'Satte' is the preteritum (past tense) of 'sätta'.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Sätta i gång vs Sätta på
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesNu har vi fikat klart, ska vi ______ i ______?
The standard phrase is 'sätta i gång'.
I'm starting with the dishes.
You need the preposition 'med' when starting a specific task.
A: Varför sitter du bara där? B: Jag vet inte, jag har svårt att ______.
'Komma i gång' is the standard way to say 'get started' or 'get into the flow'.
You want to tell your friend to start the car engine.
While 'sätta i gång' can be used for machines, 'starta' is the most natural word for a car engine.
De ______ i gång med renoveringen förra veckan.
'Satte' is the preteritum (past tense) of 'sätta'.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsBoth are correct. 'I gång' is more traditional/formal, while 'igång' is very common in modern writing and digital media.
Yes, but 'starta bilen' is more common. 'Sätta i gång bilen' sounds like you are initiating a more complex process or perhaps an old car that is hard to start.
'Börja' is 'to begin' (general). 'Sätta i gång' is 'to get started' (action-oriented). You 'börjar' a book, but you 'sätter i gång' with a project.
Simply say 'Sätt i gång!' or 'Då sätter vi i gång!'
Yes, 'Larmet satte i gång' means the alarm started ringing/went off.
No, it's neutral. However, as a command ('Sätt i gång!'), it can be perceived as bossy depending on your tone.
The past tense is 'satte i gång'. Example: 'Vi satte i gång igår.'
Usually no. For habits like 'I started exercising', use 'Jag började träna'. 'Sätta i gång' is for specific sessions or projects.
Yes, 'en igångsättning'. It's used for things like starting a factory or inducing labor in a hospital.
It's better to say 'komma i gång'. 'Jag har svårt att komma i gång' (I have a hard time getting started).
Expressions liées
dra i gång
similarTo start something big or energetic.
köra i gång
similarTo kick off/start (informal).
komma i gång
builds onTo get started/get into the flow.
igångsättning
specialized formThe act of starting/initiation.
börja
synonymTo begin.
