B1 Swedish GrammarPassive Voice
Learn to form and use the passive voice in Swedish using the -s suffix and 'bli/vara + past participle'. Understand when to use passive for formal writing, processes, and when the agent is unknown or unimportant.
1The S-Passive
Swedish has a unique way to form passive: adding -s to the verb. This 's-passive' is very common and efficient - no auxiliary verb needed. Simply add -s to the active verb form. For present tense: talar → talas. For past: talade → talades. This is the most common passive in Swedish.
S-Passive Formation
| Tense | Active | Passive | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | talar | talas | is spoken |
| Past | talade | talades | was spoken |
| Present | öppnar | öppnas | is opened |
| Past | öppnade | öppnades | was opened |
| Present | läser | läses | is read |
| Past | läste | lästes | was read |
Examples
Svenska talas i Sverige.
Swedish is spoken in Sweden.
tala → talas (present passive)
Dörren öppnades av vinden.
The door was opened by the wind.
öppna → öppnades (past passive)
Boken läses av många.
The book is read by many.
läsa → läses (present passive)
Brevet skickades igĂĄr.
The letter was sent yesterday.
skicka → skickades (past passive)
2Bli + Past Participle
An alternative passive uses 'bli' (become) + past participle. This emphasizes the ACTION or CHANGE happening. It often suggests something new occurring. 'Bli-passive' is more common in spoken Swedish and when describing a process or change of state.
Bli-Passive Formation
| Tense | Construction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | blir + supine | blir öppnad |
| Past | blev + supine | blev öppnad |
| Future | ska bli + supine | ska bli öppnad |
| Perfect | har blivit + supine | har blivit öppnad |
Examples
Fönstret blev trasigt.
The window got broken.
bli + adjective (result)
Han blev överraskad.
He was/got surprised.
bli emphasizes the change
Boken har blivit översatt.
The book has been translated.
Perfect with blivit
Du kommer att bli imponerad.
You will be impressed.
Future passive with bli
3Vara + Past Participle (State)
'Vara' (to be) + past participle describes a STATE or RESULT, not the action itself. Compare: - Dörren öppnas (is being opened - action) - Dörren är öppnad (is open - state/result) This distinction is important for describing situations versus processes.
S-Passive vs Vara-Passive
| Construction | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| s-passive | action/process | Dörren stängs (being closed) |
| vara + participle | state/result | Dörren är stängd (is closed) |
Examples
Affären är stängd.
The store is closed.
State/result (not action)
Maten är lagad.
The food is cooked/prepared.
Resulting state
Boken är skriven av en svensk.
The book is written by a Swede.
State with agent
Alla platser är bokade.
All seats are booked.
Current state
4When to Use Passive
Passive is used when: - The agent (doer) is unknown or unimportant - The action/result is more important than who did it - In formal, academic, or official writing - For general statements and rules Swedish often prefers active voice in everyday speech, using 'man' (one/you) as an impersonal subject.
Examples
Här talas engelska.
English is spoken here.
Sign/notice (agent unknown)
Beställningen levereras inom tre dagar.
The order will be delivered within three days.
Formal/business context
Studien genomfördes 2023.
The study was conducted in 2023.
Academic writing
Man säger att... (active alternative)
It is said that... / They say that...
Using 'man' instead of passive