Meaning
To persuade someone to think differently.
Cultural Background
Swedes value 'consensus' (samförstånd). Using this phrase often implies a respectful dialogue rather than a forced change. In Swedish business, 'få någon på andra tankar' is seen as a positive skill in negotiation, emphasizing logic over emotion. In debates, it's common to use this to show that one is open to being persuaded, which is a sign of intellectual humility in Sweden. It is frequently used in parenting to describe the constant negotiation between parents and children.
Use 'nån'
In casual speech, always say 'få nån på andra tankar' instead of the full 'någon'.
Preposition Alert
Never use 'till'. It's always 'på'. Think of being 'on' a train of thought.
Meaning
To persuade someone to think differently.
Use 'nån'
In casual speech, always say 'få nån på andra tankar' instead of the full 'någon'.
Preposition Alert
Never use 'till'. It's always 'på'. Think of being 'on' a train of thought.
Softening the blow
Add 'kanske' (maybe) to make the persuasion sound more Swedish and less aggressive: 'Jag kanske kan få dig på andra tankar?'
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition and noun.
Jag försökte få honom ______ andra ______.
The correct idiom is 'på andra tankar'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I changed my boss's mind'?
Hur säger man 'I changed my boss's mind' på svenska?
The verb 'få' is the correct causative verb for this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ska du verkligen sälja huset? B: Ja, det är planen. A: Vänta, jag har några argument som kanske kan ______.
'Få dig på andra tankar' fits perfectly in a context of persuasion.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you use 'få någon på andra tankar'?
It is used for persuasion and changing decisions.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag försökte få honom ______ andra ______.
The correct idiom is 'på andra tankar'.
Hur säger man 'I changed my boss's mind' på svenska?
The verb 'få' is the correct causative verb for this idiom.
A: Ska du verkligen sälja huset? B: Ja, det är planen. A: Vänta, jag har några argument som kanske kan ______.
'Få dig på andra tankar' fits perfectly in a context of persuasion.
When would you use 'få någon på andra tankar'?
It is used for persuasion and changing decisions.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a business report.
Yes, but it might sound a bit dramatic. 'Få mig att ändra mig' is lighter.
'Övertala' is the verb for 'to persuade'. This idiom is a more colorful, common way to express the same result.
No, the idiom is fixed with 'andra' (second/other).
Yes, in this idiom it is always plural.
Not necessarily, just that they changed their mind. 'Bättre tankar' implies they were wrong.
Use 'Jag ändrade mig' or 'Jag kom på andra tankar'.
Yes, very common in political and economic reporting.
Yes, to distract someone from sadness: 'Vi försökte få henne på andra tankar'.
Using the preposition 'till' instead of 'på'.
Not a direct one, but 'snacka omkull nån' (talk someone over) is similar.
Yes, it shows you are persuasive and articulate.
Related Phrases
ändra sig
similarTo change one's own mind.
övertala
synonymTo persuade.
tala någon till rätta
specialized formTo talk sense into someone.
komma på andra tankar
similarTo change one's own mind (suddenly).
vända kappan efter vinden
contrastTo change one's opinion just to suit the current trend.
