Meaning
Appreciating someone's fortune.
Cultural Background
In Sweden, being 'glad för någon' is a way to combat 'avundsjuka' (envy), which is socially frowned upon. It shows you are 'unnsam'. Americans often use higher energy words like 'excited' or 'thrilled'. Swedes stick to 'glad', but might add 'jätte-' to increase the intensity. In Japan, expressing personal joy for another can sometimes be seen as intrusive. They prefer to focus on the event's success. Similar to Sweden, Finns value sincerity. If you say you are glad for someone, you should mean it, as small talk is less common.
Use 'din skull'
Adding 'för din skull' instead of just 'för dig' makes you sound 10x more like a native speaker.
Avoid 'av'
Never say 'glad av dig'. It's a very common mistake for English and German speakers.
Meaning
Appreciating someone's fortune.
Use 'din skull'
Adding 'för din skull' instead of just 'för dig' makes you sound 10x more like a native speaker.
Avoid 'av'
Never say 'glad av dig'. It's a very common mistake for English and German speakers.
Social Media
This is the #1 phrase to use when commenting on a friend's good news on Instagram.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct preposition.
Jag är så glad ___ dig!
We use 'för' when expressing happiness for a person.
Which sentence is most natural for a friend's wedding?
What should you say?
'För din skull' is the most idiomatic way to say 'for your sake'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jag vann första pris! B: _________
This is the appropriate response to someone winning a prize.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: Your brother just bought his first house.
You are happy for the person (him).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag är så glad ___ dig!
We use 'för' when expressing happiness for a person.
What should you say?
'För din skull' is the most idiomatic way to say 'for your sake'.
A: Jag vann första pris! B: _________
This is the appropriate response to someone winning a prize.
Context: Your brother just bought his first house.
You are happy for the person (him).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt's possible but very rare. 'Glad' is the standard word for this social context.
'Glad för' is for people. 'Glad över' is for things or events.
It means 'sake'. So 'for your sake'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Jag är så glad för din skull!
No, say 'Jag är glad över maten' or 'Jag gillar maten'.
Yes, but 'glädjas' is a verb and is much more formal.
No, you don't say you are happy for yourself in this way.
To be 'ledsen för någons skull' (sad for someone's sake).
Yes, all the time! It's a core social phrase.
Yes, if a verb follows. 'Jag är glad för att du kom.'
Use 'glad' for one person (Jag är glad) and 'glada' for more (Vi är glada).
Related Phrases
Vara glad över
similarTo be happy about something.
Glädjas med någon
synonymTo rejoice with someone.
Unna någon något
builds onTo feel someone deserves their luck.
Hålla tummarna för
similarTo keep one's fingers crossed for someone.
Grattis
similarCongratulations.
