Meaning
To be well thought of.
Cultural Background
The 'Law of Jante' (Jantelagen) influences reputation. A 'gott rykte' is often maintained by not standing out too much or bragging, but by being consistently reliable. In Swedish business, 'tillit' (trust) is everything. A company's reputation for honesty is often more important than its aggressive sales tactics. In smaller Swedish communities, your 'rykte' can follow you for generations. It is a very communal concept. Sweden is highly digitized. Sites like 'Reco' or 'Trustpilot' are used extensively to check the 'rykte' of businesses before any interaction.
The 'Ett' Rule
Always remember that 'rykte' is an 'ett' word. This is the most common mistake for learners.
Don't say 'bra rykte'
While people will understand you, 'gott rykte' is the standard idiom. Using 'bra' makes you sound like a beginner.
Meaning
To be well thought of.
The 'Ett' Rule
Always remember that 'rykte' is an 'ett' word. This is the most common mistake for learners.
Don't say 'bra rykte'
While people will understand you, 'gott rykte' is the standard idiom. Using 'bra' makes you sound like a beginner.
Use with 'för'
To sound more advanced, always follow the phrase with 'för' and a noun (e.g., 'för sin ärlighet').
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
Min nya granne är jättesnäll och han ______ ett ______ rykte.
We use the verb 'har' (present tense) and the neuter adjective 'gott' to match 'rykte'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A) Företaget har en god rykte. B) Företaget har ett gott rykte. C) Företaget har ett god rykte.
'Rykte' is an 'ett' word, so it must be 'ett gott rykte'.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the pairs.
These are common variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
A: Ska vi äta på den nya restaurangen? B: Ja, jag har hört att de ______ ______ ______ ______.
This is the most natural way to confirm a recommendation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMin nya granne är jättesnäll och han ______ ett ______ rykte.
We use the verb 'har' (present tense) and the neuter adjective 'gott' to match 'rykte'.
A) Företaget har en god rykte. B) Företaget har ett gott rykte. C) Företaget har ett god rykte.
'Rykte' is an 'ett' word, so it must be 'ett gott rykte'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common variations of the phrase.
A: Ska vi äta på den nya restaurangen? B: Ja, jag har hört att de ______ ______ ______ ______.
This is the most natural way to confirm a recommendation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNot really. It implies a reputation built over time. If you just like them, say 'Han verkar trevlig'.
Almost. 'Anseende' is more formal and often used in official or professional contexts. 'Rykte' is more common in daily speech.
Because 'rykte' is a neuter (ett) noun. Adjectives for neuter nouns take the -t ending.
No, we don't say 'stort rykte'. We say 'gott' (good), 'dåligt' (bad), or 'starkt' (strong).
Yes, it is extremely common in business to describe brand equity and trust.
Related Phrases
Ha ett dåligt rykte
contrastTo have a bad reputation.
Vara välansedd
synonymTo be well-regarded.
Bygga upp ett rykte
builds onTo build up a reputation.
Vårda sitt rykte
specialized formTo nurture/look after one's reputation.
