Say what you don’t do, don’t have or don’t understand.
Grammar pathway — a separate, structured course that complements the practical Everyday Swedish lessons. Work through the lessons in order, or use the lesson menu to revisit a topic.
The word <em>inte</em> means “not”. Its position depends on the kind of sentence, so it is useful to learn it in common patterns.
In a simple main clause, inte normally comes after the finite verb: Jag förstår inte. In a subordinate clause, it usually comes before the verb: … eftersom jag inte förstår.
Read the Swedish sentence first, then check the English meaning.
| Swedish | English |
|---|---|
| Jag förstår inte. | I don’t understand. |
| Jag har inte tid. | I don’t have time. |
| Hon arbetar inte idag. | She isn’t working today. |
| Jag stannar hemma eftersom jag inte mår bra. | I’m staying home because I don’t feel well. |
Start by learning main-clause patterns such as Jag vet inte, Jag kan inte and Jag har inte. The subordinate-clause pattern can come next.