Signification
To be rejected or told to stop doing something.
Contexte culturel
Swedes value 'consensus' and often avoid direct 'no's. Using 'rött kort' is a way to be direct without being personally aggressive, as it frames the rejection as a 'rule-based' decision. While the phrase exists, Brits might use 'sent off' or 'given his marching orders' more frequently in a social context. In Brazil, 'cartão vermelho' is often used with much more theatricality and passion than in the more reserved Swedish culture. In Japan, using this phrase can be seen as quite 'Western' and blunt. It is often used in a humorous way on TV to avoid the harshness of a real rejection.
Use it for boundaries
It's a great way to tell friends to stop an annoying habit without being too mean.
Don't over-use
If you give everyone a red card, you'll end up with no friends! Save it for the big stuff.
Signification
To be rejected or told to stop doing something.
Use it for boundaries
It's a great way to tell friends to stop an annoying habit without being too mean.
Don't over-use
If you give everyone a red card, you'll end up with no friends! Save it for the big stuff.
The 'Gult Kort' trick
Always try giving a 'gult kort' (warning) first to sound more reasonable in Swedish culture.
Teste-toi
Fyll i rätt form av adjektivet 'röd'.
Han gjorde ett stort misstag och fick ____ kort direkt.
'Kort' is an ett-word, so the adjective must be 'rött'.
Vilket verb passar bäst i den här meningen?
Hon ____ honom rött kort efter att han ljugit för henne.
You 'give' (ger/gav) someone a red card in Swedish.
Matcha situationen med rätt kort.
1. En liten varning. 2. En total rejection.
Yellow is a warning; red is the end.
Välj det mest naturliga svaret.
A: Hur gick det på anställningsintervjun? B: Tyvärr, jag ____.
If you are rejected, you 'receive' (får/fick) the card.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHan gjorde ett stort misstag och fick ____ kort direkt.
'Kort' is an ett-word, so the adjective must be 'rött'.
Hon ____ honom rött kort efter att han ljugit för henne.
You 'give' (ger/gav) someone a red card in Swedish.
1. En liten varning. 2. En total rejection.
Yellow is a warning; red is the end.
A: Hur gick det på anställningsintervjun? B: Tyvärr, jag ____.
If you are rejected, you 'receive' (får/fick) the card.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, that is simply called 'rött ljus'.
Yes, it is very informal. Only say it if you have a very close, joking relationship.
The plural is 'röda kort', but the idiom is usually singular.
Not at all! Every Swede knows what this means.
No, you must say 'Jag fick rött kort' (I received a red card).
In sports, 'grönt kort' is sometimes used for fair play, but it's not a common social idiom like the red card.
You can say 'Han hänger löst' or 'Han är nära ett rött kort'.
Rarely. It's almost always about people or their actions.
'Nobba' is just to say no; 'rött kort' implies you were kicked out for doing something wrong.
Only as a stylistic metaphor, for example in an opinion piece.
Expressions liées
gult kort
similarA warning.
få korgen
synonymTo be rejected romantically.
få sparken
specialized formTo be fired.
visa ut
builds onTo eject someone.
