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noun

en mod

courage

Förmågan att våga göra något trots att man är rädd eller osäker.

Definition & meaning

Mod means courage, bravery, or the inner strength to face something difficult, frightening, or unpleasant.

It is usually used as an abstract, uncountable noun:

  • Han hade mod att säga sanningen. — He had the courage to tell the truth.
  • Hon visade stort mod. — She showed great courage.
  • Jag tappade modet. — I lost courage / I became discouraged.

The related definite form modet means “the courage” or “the morale.” In expressions such as tappa modet, it often refers to hope, confidence, or determination rather than physical bravery.

Grammar & Word origin

Mod is a neuter noun:

  • ett mod — a courage/bravery
  • modet — the courage
  • mod — courage, usually without a plural form

The word is not normally divided into smaller meaningful parts in modern Swedish. It comes from Old Norse móðr and is related to German Mut and English mood, although Swedish mod has come to mean courage or bravery.

A related Swedish word is modig , meaning “brave” or “courageous.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • kurage — courage, especially the courage to act or speak up; often somewhat formal.
  • tapperhet — bravery or valour, often associated with heroic or military conduct.
  • djärvhet — boldness or daring; it can suggest willingness to take risks, not necessarily moral courage.
  • civilkurage — moral courage in defending what is right or standing up for another person.

Mod is the broadest and most neutral word for courage. It can refer both to everyday determination and to bravery in dangerous situations.

Antonyms

  • feghet — cowardice; the direct opposite of courage.
  • rädsla — fear; fear is not always the opposite of mod, since a person can feel fear and still act courageously.
  • modlöshet — discouragement or loss of courage.
  • osäkerhet — uncertainty or lack of confidence, which may prevent someone from acting bravely.

Common phrases & collocations

  • ha mod att — to have the courage to
    Hon hade mod att protestera. — She had the courage to protest.

  • visa mod — to show courage
    Han visade stort mod. — He showed great courage.

  • samla mod — to gather courage
    Jag samlade mod och ringde henne. — I gathered my courage and called her.

  • ta mod till sig — to pluck up one’s courage
    Hon tog mod till sig och berättade sanningen. — She plucked up her courage and told the truth.

  • tappa modet — to lose courage or become discouraged

  • få nytt mod — to regain courage or hope

  • med stort mod — with great courage

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Examples

Mod kan hjälpa människor att övervinna sina rädslor.noun

Courage can help people overcome their fears.

Hon visade mycket mod i en svår situation.noun

She showed great courage in a difficult situation.

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