Swedish Verbs
In this lesson you'll learn how to use verbs in Swedish. Verbs are words that describe an action, state of being, or occurrence.
You'll learn how to form the present, past, conditional, and future tenses of Swedish verbs. A list of common swedish verbs is also included, as well as online flashcards to help you learn them.
Introduction
Swedish verbs can be categorized as verbs that end in ar in the present tense, verbs that end in er in the present tense, and a few verbs that are irregular in the present tense. As in English, many common Swedish verbs are irregular. To learn about these verbs, have a look at the lesson Irregular Verbs.
Regular Verbs
A majority of verbs in Swedish append ar to form the present tense and ade to form the past tense. The future tense is indicated by using ska with the infinitive of the verb.
att kalla | to call |
kalla | imperative as in call me! |
kallar | present tense |
kallade | past tense |
har kallat | has/have called |
hade kallat | had called |
ska kalla | will call |
skulle kalla | would call |
There are also many verbs that form the present tense by adding er and form the past by adding de.
att stänga | to close |
stäng | imperative as in close it! |
stänger | present tense |
stängde | past tense |
har stängt | has/have closed |
hade stängt | had closed |
ska stänga | will close |
skulle stänga | would close |
To make a negative statement add inte after the verb. To make a question, put the subject of the sentence after the verb.
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Swedish Vocabulary
Here is a list of some common Swedish verbs. Use the flashcards below to help you learn them.
besluta | decide |
börja | start, begin |
flytta | move |
fråga | ask |
fråga efter | ask for |
fånga | catch |
föreställa sig | imagine |
förlora | lose |
förändra | change |
glöda | glow |
gå in | enter, go in |
gömma | hide |
hjälpa | help |
hoppa | jump |
hämta | fetch, pick up |
kasta | throw |
komma ihåg | remember |
landa | land |
lyfta | lift |
lyssna | listen |
lägga sig ner | lie down |
lämna | leave |
mena | mean |
peka | point |
plocka upp | pick up |
påpeka | point out |
röra | move, touch, stir |
skriva in | enter (write) |
skynda sig | hurry |
skratta | laugh |
slänga | throw, toss |
spela | play |
stiga på | get in, enter |
stoppa | stop |
stänga | shut |
svara | answer |
tacka | thank |
titta | look |
titta på | look at, watch |
trycka | press |
undra | wonder |
verka | seem |
visa | show |
vänta på | wait for |
växa | grow |
älska | love |
öka | increase |
önska | wish |
Examples
Jag pratade med min vän igår. | I talked with my friend yesterday. |
Elias lyssnar på musik. | Elias listens to music. |
Studerade du för provet? | Did you study for the test? |
Hon arbetade hela dagen. | She worked the entire day. |
Hon köpte en ny bil. | She bought a new car. |
Jag läste en bok. | I read a book. |
De spelade fotboll. | They played football |
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Verb Flashcards
Here are some flashcards to help you learn the Swedish verbs included in this lesson.
Swedish Audio
The following is a sample of spoken Swedish from the Edgar Alan Poe poem "The Raven".
Korpen
Korpen | The Raven |
---|---|
Att en fågel så kan svara, hör ju till det underbara; dock, han säger ett ord bara, som han kanske övats i av en skald, vars hårda öde, förrn han lades till de döde, ville, att hans strängar ljöde till det enda ord: förbi - att hans sång, den brustna, ljöde i det enda hjärteskri: förbi, förbi! | That a bird so can answer, belongs to the wonderous; However, he says one word only, as he maybe practiced as a poet, whose hard fate, ere he was added to the dead, wanted his strings to sound the word: gone - that his song, the broken, sounded in the only heart-cry: gone, gone! |
Quiz
Here is a quiz to help you learn the infinitive, present, past, and present perfect tense of Swedish verbs. Each time you take the quiz the questions will be a bit different.