Signification
Ignoring someone or refusing to help.
Contexte culturel
In Norway, 'å snu ryggen til' is often linked to the failure of 'solidaritet' (solidarity). It is a heavy accusation in a society that prides itself on social equality. The English equivalent 'turn one's back on' is often used in a more individualistic context, focusing on personal betrayal or abandonment of duty. In Japan, turning one's back can also imply a loss of face or a refusal to engage in necessary social harmony (Wa). In many Arab cultures, hospitality is a sacred duty. Turning one's back on a guest or someone seeking help is seen as a major dishonor to the family.
Use with 'aldri'
This phrase is very common in promises. 'Jeg skal aldri snu ryggen til deg' is a powerful way to show loyalty.
Preposition Alert
Always use 'til'. Using 'fra' or 'mot' will make you sound like a beginner.
Signification
Ignoring someone or refusing to help.
Use with 'aldri'
This phrase is very common in promises. 'Jeg skal aldri snu ryggen til deg' is a powerful way to show loyalty.
Preposition Alert
Always use 'til'. Using 'fra' or 'mot' will make you sound like a beginner.
Vende vs Snu
If you are writing an essay, use 'vende ryggen til'. If you are chatting with friends, use 'snu ryggen til'.
The Weight of the Phrase
Be careful using this with close friends unless you are truly upset. It implies a serious breach of trust.
Teste-toi
Fyll inn riktig form av verbet 'å snu' og riktig preposisjon.
I fjor ______ han ryggen ______ familien sin.
We use the past tense 'snudde' because of 'I fjor' (last year), and the preposition is always 'til'.
Hvilken setning bruker idiomet riktig?
Velg riktig alternativ:
This sentence uses the figurative meaning correctly in a moral context. Option A is literal, C uses an unnecessary 'sin', and D uses the wrong preposition.
Fullfør dialogen med riktig uttrykk.
A: Hvorfor er du så sint på Marit? B: Fordi hun ____________________ da jeg mistet jobben.
The past tense 'snudde' is needed to explain why the person is currently angry about a past event.
Match situasjonen med riktig betydning av 'å snu ryggen til'.
Situasjon: En politiker lover å hjelpe skolen, men kutter budsjettet i stedet.
You can turn your back on both an institution (the school) and the people affected (the children).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Snu vs. Vende
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesI fjor ______ han ryggen ______ familien sin.
We use the past tense 'snudde' because of 'I fjor' (last year), and the preposition is always 'til'.
Velg riktig alternativ:
This sentence uses the figurative meaning correctly in a moral context. Option A is literal, C uses an unnecessary 'sin', and D uses the wrong preposition.
A: Hvorfor er du så sint på Marit? B: Fordi hun ____________________ da jeg mistet jobben.
The past tense 'snudde' is needed to explain why the person is currently angry about a past event.
Situasjon: En politiker lover å hjelpe skolen, men kutter budsjettet i stedet.
You can turn your back on both an institution (the school) and the people affected (the children).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, in 99% of cases, it implies a negative abandonment or rejection of responsibility.
Yes, you can snu ryggen til 'sannheten' (the truth) or 'prinsippene dine' (your principles).
'Vende' is more formal and literary. 'Snu' is more common in everyday speech.
No, 'mot' means 'towards' in a physical sense, but for the idiom, 'til' is the only correct preposition.
Yes, to describe a company abandoning its customers or employees.
Han snudde ryggen til meg.
Not a direct one, but 'å drite i noen' is a vulgar way to express a similar lack of care.
It's a bit more dramatic than ghosting, but it fits if the ghosting felt like a betrayal.
Very common, especially in emotional ballads and rap songs about social struggle.
No. You 'snur ryggen' (turn the back), you don't 'snur deg ryggen'.
No, that would be too dramatic. Just say 'Jeg har ikke tid'.
'Å stille opp for noen' (to show up/be there for someone).
Yes, many Norwegian translations use 'vende ryggen til' to describe people turning away from God.
You can, but people might think you are using the idiom. Better to say 'snu seg'.
Expressions liées
å vende ryggen til
synonymTo turn the back to (more formal).
å svikte noen
similarTo fail or betray someone.
å lukke øynene for
similarTo ignore a problem.
å stå last og brast med
contrastTo stand by someone through thick and thin.
å vende det døve øret til
similarTo turn a deaf ear to.
