Meaning
To have one's ideas accepted or supported by others.
Cultural Background
The 'consensus culture' in Sweden means that 'få gehör' is often a slow process of talking to many people individually before a meeting. Flat hierarchies mean that even junior employees are expected to 'få gehör' for their ideas if they are good, rather than just following orders. The 'remiss' system is a formal way for the government to get 'gehör' (or feedback) from experts and organizations before making a law. The 'Kommunala musikskolan' (Municipal Music School) has made the term 'gehör' very familiar to Swedes, as many learn to play by ear.
Use it in CVs
Instead of saying 'I suggested a new system', say 'Jag fick gehör för ett nytt system'. It sounds much more professional and influential.
Don't forget 'för'
The most common mistake is dropping the 'för'. You always get support *for* something.
Meaning
To have one's ideas accepted or supported by others.
Use it in CVs
Instead of saying 'I suggested a new system', say 'Jag fick gehör för ett nytt system'. It sounds much more professional and influential.
Don't forget 'för'
The most common mistake is dropping the 'för'. You always get support *for* something.
The 'Fika' Strategy
In Sweden, if you want to 'få gehör' for an idea, talk about it informally over coffee first. This is called 'förankring'.
Test Yourself
Fyll i rätt preposition och verbform.
Igår ___ hon äntligen gehör ___ sin nya affärsidé.
We use the past tense 'fick' because of 'igår' (yesterday), and the preposition is always 'för'.
Vilken mening är mest naturlig i ett jobbsammanhang?
Du vill berätta att chefen lyssnade på ditt förslag och tyckte det var bra.
This correctly uses the phrase to show that your proposal was accepted by the boss.
Matcha uttrycket med dess betydelse.
Matcha!
These are all related to communication and resonance.
Välj det svar som passar bäst in i dialogen.
A: Hur gick det på mötet med hyresvärden? B: Inte så bra. Vi försökte förklara att taket läcker, men...
This shows that the landlord did not accept or act on their complaints.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Höra vs. Få Gehör
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIgår ___ hon äntligen gehör ___ sin nya affärsidé.
We use the past tense 'fick' because of 'igår' (yesterday), and the preposition is always 'för'.
Du vill berätta att chefen lyssnade på ditt förslag och tyckte det var bra.
This correctly uses the phrase to show that your proposal was accepted by the boss.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all related to communication and resonance.
A: Hur gick det på mötet med hyresvärden? B: Inte så bra. Vi försökte förklara att taket läcker, men...
This shows that the landlord did not accept or act on their complaints.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you can use it in politics, school, or even in a family setting when trying to convince others of a plan.
Yes, 'ge gehör åt någon' means to listen to and support someone else's idea. It's the other side of the coin.
'Stöd' is general support. 'Gehör' implies that the support came after a process of being heard and understood.
It is neutral to formal. You can use it in a newspaper or a meeting, but it might sound a bit heavy for a casual chat about movies.
You would say 'Min idé fick inget gehör' or 'Min idé vann inget gehör'.
No. For physical hearing, use 'höra'. 'Gehör' is always about the metaphorical 'ear' of acceptance.
It implies a slightly more active struggle or a successful persuasion against odds.
No, it is uncountable in this context. You don't say 'ett gehör' or 'flera gehör'.
Usually yes, or an organization/group like 'styrelsen' (the board) or 'publiken' (the audience).
It sounds a bit clinical. Better to say 'Han lyssnar inte på vad jag vill'.
Related Phrases
vinna anklang
synonymTo be well-received or popular.
få genomslag
builds onTo have a breakthrough or make a significant impact.
tala för döva öron
contrastTo speak to deaf ears.
ha gehör
specialized formTo have a good ear (usually for music).
