When to Use Nu, Redan, and Inte Än in Swedish
Understanding Temporal Adverbs in Swedish
Temporal adverbs are essential for crafting sentences that convey time-related context in Swedish. Among the most common are "nu," "redan," and "inte än." Mastering these will greatly improve your understanding and communication in Swedish.
Nu – Now
In Swedish, "nu" refers to the present moment, similar to "now" in English. It is a straightforward way to indicate that something is currently happening or applies.
Vad gör du <span class="ipa">nu</span>?
What are you doing now?
Vi ska äta <span class="ipa">nu</span>.
We are going to eat now.
Redan – Already
"Redan" is used to indicate that something has occurred earlier than expected or by a certain time. It aligns with the English word "already."
Har du redan avslutat?
Have you finished already?
Tåget har redan avgått.
The train has already left.
Inte Än – Not Yet
The phrase "inte än" means "not yet," used to express that something expected to happen has not occurred up to this moment.
Jag har <span class="ipa">inte än</span> ätit.
I haven’t eaten yet.
Har hon kommit <span class="ipa">inte än</span>?
Has she arrived yet?
Contextual Usage
These adverbs often appear in sentences associated with specific time expressions or conveying a sequence of events. Understanding their nuances can lead to more natural and fluent conversations in Swedish.
- Use "nu" when focusing on current actions or states.
- Use "redan" to impress with promptness or readiness.
- Use "inte än" to set up anticipation or hold for what's to come.
Further Reading
- Must-Know Swedish Expressions
Explore a variety of essential Swedish phrases and expressions to enrich your vocabulary.
- Five Swedish Adverbs to Know
A guide to important Swedish adverbs that can enhance your language skills.
- Swedish Phrases
A collection of useful Swedish phrases for various situations.