A2 Swedish GrammarParticle Verbs
Master Swedish particle verbs (partikelverb) where a particle like 'på', 'av', 'upp', 'ner' changes or intensifies the verb's meaning. Learn when the particle separates from the verb and how stress patterns indicate separable verbs.
1What Are Particle Verbs?
Particle verbs combine a verb with a stressed particle (preposition or adverb) that modifies its meaning. Compare: 'stänga' (close) vs 'stänga av' (turn off). The particle is stressed and often separates from the verb. This is similar to English phrasal verbs.
Common Particles
| Particle | Meaning | Example Verb | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| av | off | stänga av | turn off |
| på | on | sätta på | turn on |
| upp | up | vakna upp | wake up |
| ner/ned | down | sätta ner | put down |
| ut | out | gå ut | go out |
| in | in | gå in | go in |
Examples
Jag stänger av TV:n.
I turn off the TV.
stänga av = turn off
Kan du sätta på musiken?
Can you turn on the music?
sätta på = turn on
Barnen gick ut i trädgården.
The children went out into the garden.
gå ut = go out
Ta av dig skorna!
Take off your shoes!
ta av = take off
2Particle Separation in Main Clauses
In main clauses, the particle stays close to the verb but comes AFTER any unstressed object pronouns. With noun objects, the particle can come either before or after the object. The stressed particle determines the verb's meaning.
Particle Position
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + particle | Han gick ut. | He went out. |
| Verb + particle + noun | Stäng av datorn! | Turn off the computer! |
| Verb + pronoun + particle | Stäng av den! | Turn it off! |
| Verb + particle + noun (alt.) | Stäng datorn av! | Turn the computer off! |
Examples
Ring upp mig senare!
Call me later!
Particle before pronoun object
Jag sätter på lampan.
I turn on the lamp.
Particle before noun
Kan du ta bort det?
Can you remove it?
ta bort = remove
Hon klädde på sig.
She got dressed.
Particle with reflexive
3Particle Verbs in Subordinate Clauses
In subordinate clauses, the particle moves to directly before the verb. This follows Swedish subordinate clause word order where adverbs precede the verb. Compare: 'Jag stänger av datorn' (main) vs '...att jag stänger datorn av' (subordinate).
Main vs. Subordinate Clause
| Main Clause | Subordinate Clause |
|---|---|
| Han går ut. | ...att han går ut. |
| Jag stänger av TV:n. | ...att jag stänger av TV:n. |
| Hon vaknar upp. | ...när hon vaknar upp. |
| De kommer tillbaka. | ...om de kommer tillbaka. |
Examples
Jag vet att han går ut varje dag.
I know that he goes out every day.
går ut stays together in subordinate
När jag vaknade upp, var det mörkt.
When I woke up, it was dark.
Particle in när-clause
Hon frågade om jag kan stänga av musiken.
She asked if I can turn off the music.
Particle verb in om-clause
Säg till mig när du kommer tillbaka.
Tell me when you come back.
komma tillbaka = come back
4Common Particle Verbs to Learn
Many Swedish verbs combine with particles to create new meanings. Some particle verbs are literal (gå ut = go out), while others are idiomatic (ge upp = give up). Learning these combinations expands your vocabulary significantly.
Essential Particle Verbs
| Particle Verb | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ge upp | give up | Ge inte upp! |
| komma ihåg | remember | Jag kommer ihåg det. |
| ta reda på | find out | Jag ska ta reda på det. |
| se ut | look/appear | Du ser trött ut. |
| hålla med | agree | Jag håller med dig. |
| bry sig om | care about | Hon bryr sig om dig. |
Examples
Ge inte upp!
Don't give up!
ge upp = give up
Jag kommer inte ihåg hennes namn.
I don't remember her name.
komma ihåg = remember
Hur ser han ut?
What does he look like?
se ut = look/appear
Jag håller helt med.
I completely agree.
hålla med = agree