Meaning
A door that is not closed.
Cultural Background
The 'Open Door' policy is a hallmark of the Swedish flat hierarchy. It is common for CEOs to sit in open-plan offices. Leaving doors unlocked was common in rural areas until recently, symbolizing communal trust. 'Öppna dörrar' is a frequent metaphor in migration debates, referring to how welcoming the country should be. Professors often have 'mottagningstid' (office hours) which they refer to as having an 'öppen dörr'.
Agreement is Key
Always check if you are talking about one door (öppen) or many (öppna).
Not for People
Don't call your friend an 'öppen dörr' unless you mean they are literally standing there with their mouth open!
Meaning
A door that is not closed.
Agreement is Key
Always check if you are talking about one door (öppen) or many (öppna).
Not for People
Don't call your friend an 'öppen dörr' unless you mean they are literally standing there with their mouth open!
The 'Slå in' Idiom
Use 'slå in öppna dörrar' in a meeting to sound like a native speaker who values efficiency.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'öppen' or 'dörr'.
Jag kan inte komma in, är ______ öppen?
We need the definite form of 'dörr' because we are talking about a specific door.
Which sentence uses the figurative meaning correctly?
Choose the best option:
This sentence uses 'öppen dörr' to mean an opportunity, which is the figurative sense.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are all common variations of the 'open door' concept.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Kan jag prata med chefen? B: Ja, hon har alltid en _________.
In a workplace context, having an 'öppen dörr' means being available for communication.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Öppen vs. Öppna
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag kan inte komma in, är ______ öppen?
We need the definite form of 'dörr' because we are talking about a specific door.
Choose the best option:
This sentence uses 'öppen dörr' to mean an opportunity, which is the figurative sense.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common variations of the 'open door' concept.
A: Kan jag prata med chefen? B: Ja, hon har alltid en _________.
In a workplace context, having an 'öppen dörr' means being available for communication.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you would say 'öppet fönster' because 'fönster' is an ett-word.
It is neutral and can be used in both contexts.
A 'stängd dörr' (closed door) or 'låst dörr' (locked door).
Not exactly. 'Öppet hus' is the specific term for an event.
It might sound a bit too personal. Better to use it with people you know.
You use the verb: 'Dörren öppnades'.
Yes, very often as a symbol of freedom or new beginnings.
Swedish adjectives take an -a ending in the plural form.
Metaphorically, yes, if the website is 'open' for registration or access.
It means 'to kick in open doors'.
Related Phrases
Slå in öppna dörrar
specialized formTo argue for something everyone agrees with.
Öppet hus
similarAn event where a place is open to the public.
Bakom stängda dörrar
contrastBehind closed doors (secretly).
Stå på vid gavel
builds onTo be wide open.
