Meaning
Postponing an event.
Cultural Background
The 'Soft No': Swedes often use this phrase to avoid saying 'no' directly, which can be seen as confrontational. In Swedish offices, 'en annan gång' is a respectful way to guard your 'focus time' without offending colleagues. Fika is sacred, but so is the right to say no. This phrase is the standard 'exit' from a fika invitation. In the early stages of dating, this phrase can be ambiguous. It requires reading between the lines to know if there's genuine interest.
The 'Gärna' Trick
Always add 'Gärna' (gladly) before 'en annan gång' if you actually like the person. It makes the refusal much warmer.
Don't over-use
If you say this to the same person three times in a row, they will take the hint that you don't want to meet.
Meaning
Postponing an event.
The 'Gärna' Trick
Always add 'Gärna' (gladly) before 'en annan gång' if you actually like the person. It makes the refusal much warmer.
Don't over-use
If you say this to the same person three times in a row, they will take the hint that you don't want to meet.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the polite refusal.
Jag kan inte idag, men gärna en ______ gång.
'Gång' is an en-word, so we use 'annan'.
Match the response to the situation.
Someone asks you for a coffee but you are in a rush.
This is the standard polite way to postpone a social invitation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ska vi gå på bio ikväll? B: Tyvärr, jag jobbar. ______?
B is suggesting they go another time instead.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
No preposition is needed, and 'gång' is an en-word.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'En annan gång'
Social
- • Fika
- • Party
- • Dinner
Work
- • Meetings
- • Quick chats
- • Calls
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag kan inte idag, men gärna en ______ gång.
'Gång' is an en-word, so we use 'annan'.
Someone asks you for a coffee but you are in a rush.
This is the standard polite way to postpone a social invitation.
A: Ska vi gå på bio ikväll? B: Tyvärr, jag jobbar. ______?
B is suggesting they go another time instead.
Select the correct option:
No preposition is needed, and 'gång' is an en-word.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it is actually considered very polite in Sweden as it avoids a direct 'no'.
Yes, but 'vid ett annat tillfälle' is slightly more professional for formal emails.
'En annan gång' is indefinite (some time), while 'nästa gång' implies the very next opportunity in a series.
Because 'gång' is an 'en-word'. Adjectives must match the gender of the noun.
Related Phrases
Nästa gång
similarNext time
Vid ett annat tillfälle
specialized formAt another occasion
Någon annan gång
variationSome other time
Förra gången
contrastLast time
