Swedish, a member of the North Germanic language family, is spoken by over 10 million people, primarily in Sweden and parts of Finland. Like any language, Swedish is rich in idiomatic expressions, many of which involve prepositions. Understanding these idiomatic expressions is crucial for achieving fluency and sounding like a native speaker. This article delves into various idiomatic expressions with Swedish prepositions, offering insight into their meanings and usage.
Understanding Swedish Prepositions
Prepositions in Swedish, much like in English, are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. Common Swedish prepositions include “i” (in), “på” (on), “under” (under), “över” (over), “till” (to), “från” (from), and “med” (with). Each of these prepositions can be used in idiomatic expressions that may not translate directly to English.
Idiomatic Expressions with “i” (in)
1. **I sista minuten**
– **Literal Translation:** In the last minute
– **Meaning:** At the last moment or just in time
– **Example:** Han lämnade in sin uppsats i sista minuten. (He submitted his essay at the last moment.)
2. **I god tid**
– **Literal Translation:** In good time
– **Meaning:** Well in advance
– **Example:** Vi kom till flygplatsen i god tid. (We arrived at the airport well in advance.)
3. **I farten**
– **Literal Translation:** In the speed
– **Meaning:** On the go, in a hurry
– **Example:** Hon glömde nycklarna i farten. (She forgot the keys in her haste.)
Idiomatic Expressions with “på” (on)
1. **På gång**
– **Literal Translation:** On the go
– **Meaning:** In progress, happening
– **Example:** Projektet är på gång. (The project is in progress.)
2. **På tapeten**
– **Literal Translation:** On the wallpaper
– **Meaning:** Under discussion, a hot topic
– **Example:** Klimatförändringar är på tapeten just nu. (Climate change is a hot topic right now.)
3. **På studs**
– **Literal Translation:** On the bounce
– **Meaning:** Immediately, right away
– **Example:** Hon svarade på studs. (She answered immediately.)
Idiomatic Expressions with “under” (under)
1. **Under ytan**
– **Literal Translation:** Under the surface
– **Meaning:** Beneath the facade or appearance
– **Example:** Det finns mycket mer under ytan. (There is much more beneath the surface.)
2. **Under tiden**
– **Literal Translation:** Under the time
– **Meaning:** Meanwhile, in the meantime
– **Example:** Vi kan börja äta under tiden vi väntar på de andra. (We can start eating in the meantime while waiting for the others.)
3. **Under kontroll**
– **Literal Translation:** Under control
– **Meaning:** Managed, controlled
– **Example:** Branden är nu under kontroll. (The fire is now under control
