Question Words in Swedish

In Swedish, question words are essential for forming interrogative sentences. They help us gather information and seek clarification. By mastering these question words, you will be able to ask questions and engage in conversations more effectively. Let's dive into the world of Swedish question words!

1. Vad (What)

Vad is used to inquire about things, objects, actions, events, or activities. It is equivalent to "what" in English.

Examples:

• Vad är det? (What is it?)
• Vad heter du? (What is your name?)
• Vad gör du? (What are you doing?)

2. Var (Where)

Var is used to ask about a place or location. It is equivalent to "where" in English.

Examples:

• Var bor du? (Where do you live?)
• Var är toaletten? (Where is the restroom?)
• Varför är du här? (Why are you here?)

3. När (When)

När is used to ask about time or when something happens. It is equivalent to "when" in English.

Examples:

• När fyller du år? (When is your birthday?)
• När börjar lektionen? (When does the lesson start?)
• När åker du på semester? (When are you going on vacation?)

4. Hur (How)

Hur is used to inquire about manner, means, or condition. It is equivalent to "how" in English.

Examples:

• Hur mår du? (How are you?)
• Hur gammal är du? (How old are you?)
• Hur kommer du hit? (How do you get here?)

5. Varför (Why)

Varför is used to ask for reasons or explanations. It is equivalent to "why" in English.

Examples:

• Varför gillar du det? (Why do you like it?)
• Varför gråter du? (Why are you crying?)
• Varför är du sen? (Why are you late?)

6. Vem (Who)

Vem is used to inquire about a person. It is equivalent to "who" in English.

Examples:

• Vem är det? (Who is it?)
• Vem är din bästa vän? (Who is your best friend?)
• Vem ringde dig? (Who called you?)

7. Vilken/Vilket/Vilka (Which)

Vilken/Vilket/Vilka are used to ask about choices or alternatives. They are equivalent to "which" in English.

Examples:

• Vilken färg föredrar du? (Which color do you prefer?)
• Vilket land är du ifrån? (Which country are you from?)
• Vilka böcker läser du? (Which books are you reading?)

8. Hur mycket (How much)

Hur mycket is used to ask about quantity or amount. It is equivalent to "how much" in English.

Examples:

• Hur mycket kostar det? (How much does it cost?)
• Hur mycket tid har du? (How much time do you have?)
• Hur mycket pengar har du? (How much money do you have?)

Putting it all together

Now that you are familiar with the Swedish question words, you can combine them with sentence structures and vocabulary to create meaningful questions. Remember to adjust word order in Swedish questions, starting with the question word.

Examples:

• Vad gör du på helgerna? (What do you do on weekends?)
• Var bor du i Sverige? (Where do you live in Sweden?)
• När kommer du till mitt hus? (When are you coming to my house?)
• Hur mår du idag? (How are you today?)
• Varför tycker du om att resa? (Why do you like to travel?)
• Vem är din favoritskådespelare? (Who is your favorite actor?)
• Vilken bok rekommenderar du? (Which book do you recommend?)
• Hur mycket tid behöver du? (How much time do you need?)

Congratulations! You now have a solid understanding of Swedish question words and are ready to confidently ask questions in conversations. Keep practicing and incorporating them into your everyday language use to improve your fluency. Lycka till! (Good luck!)