How to Use Negation in Swedish: A Complete Guide for English Learners

Understanding Basic Negation in Swedish

In Swedish, negation is often achieved using the word inte, which translates to "not" in English. It typically follows the verb in a sentence.

Negating Simple Sentences

To negate a simple sentence in Swedish, you place inte right after the verb. For example, "I don't like" is Jag tycker inte om. Notice how inte follows the verb tycker (think/like).

Negating Questions

When forming questions, the negation word inte also appears after the verb but before the subject if inverted. For example: "Aren't you coming?" becomes Kommer du inte?.

Negation with Auxiliary Verbs

In sentences with auxiliary verbs, inte is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb, similar to English. For example: "I have not seen" translates to Jag har inte sett.

Common Phrases with Negation

Some commonly used negative constructions in Swedish can differ from English. For example, "no problem" is often expressed as Ingen fara, literally "no danger."

Practice: Turning Affirmative Sentences into Negative Ones

Practice turning these affirmative sentences into negative ones to strengthen your understanding: 1. Jag läser en bok (I'm reading a book). 2. Han äter middag (He is eating dinner). 3. Vi reser imorgon (We travel tomorrow). Use inte accordingly in each sentence.