Meaning
To ignore something or not let it affect you.
Cultural Background
In Denmark, 'sætte sig ud over' is often used in discussions about 'Janteloven'. To succeed as an entrepreneur, one must 'sætte sig ud over' the fear of standing out. In Danish workplaces, 'professionalisme' often means the ability to 'sætte sig ud over' personal disagreements for the sake of the 'fællesskab' (community). Danish philosophy, especially Kierkegaard, uses similar concepts to describe the 'leap of faith' or rising above the 'crowd'. With the rise of online bullying in Denmark, this phrase is frequently used in public campaigns to encourage resilience.
Master the Reflexive
If you want to sound like a native, make sure your reflexive pronoun is lightning fast. Practice 'Jeg-mig', 'Du-dig', 'Vi-os' until it's automatic.
Don't Overuse
Because it's a formal phrase, using it for small things like 'ignoring a text message' can sound sarcastic or overly dramatic.
Meaning
To ignore something or not let it affect you.
Master the Reflexive
If you want to sound like a native, make sure your reflexive pronoun is lightning fast. Practice 'Jeg-mig', 'Du-dig', 'Vi-os' until it's automatic.
Don't Overuse
Because it's a formal phrase, using it for small things like 'ignoring a text message' can sound sarcastic or overly dramatic.
The 'High Road'
In Danish culture, 'at sætte sig ud over' is the linguistic equivalent of 'taking the high road'. Use it when you want to show you are the bigger person.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.
Vi må sætte ___ ud over vores uoverensstemmelser.
The subject is 'Vi' (We), so the reflexive pronoun must be 'os'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a figurative sense?
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
This is the only figurative use (overcoming fear). The others are literal and sound unnatural.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: 'Folk kritiserer din nye bog meget.' B: 'Ja, men jeg har lært at ____.'
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'mig' is required.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the phrase.
Match: 1. A politician ignoring a law. 2. An athlete pushing through pain. 3. A person ignoring an insult.
These are the standard collocations for these situations.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVi må sætte ___ ud over vores uoverensstemmelser.
The subject is 'Vi' (We), so the reflexive pronoun must be 'os'.
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
This is the only figurative use (overcoming fear). The others are literal and sound unnatural.
A: 'Folk kritiserer din nye bog meget.' B: 'Ja, men jeg har lært at ____.'
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'mig' is required.
Match: 1. A politician ignoring a law. 2. An athlete pushing through pain. 3. A person ignoring an insult.
These are the standard collocations for these situations.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNot necessarily. If a dictator 'sætter sig ud over' human rights, it is very negative. It depends on what is being ignored.
Technically yes, but it's rare. You would usually just say 'at træde over' (to step over) for physical things.
'At ignorere' is just the act of not paying attention. 'At sætte sig ud over' implies a conscious, often difficult mental effort to transcend something.
It is 'satte sig ud over'. Example: 'Han satte sig ud over frygten i går.'
Yes, especially in serious conversations, news, and debates. It's less common in very casual 'pub talk'.
Related Phrases
at hæve sig over
similarTo raise oneself above something.
at se stort på
similarTo disregard or not care about.
at se bort fra
synonymTo disregard or ignore a factor.
at ignorere
synonymTo ignore.
