Vi arbetar dels vid drejskivan, dels vid bordet.

Dels ... dels ... is a paired expression in Swedish. It links two parts and means something like:

• partly ... partly ...
• on the one hand ... on the other hand ...
• sometimes, in simple contexts, close to both ... and ...

In this sentence, it tells you that the work happens in two different places/parts: vid drejskivan and vid bordet.

It is very common in Swedish to repeat dels before each part:

• dels X, dels Y

Because that is how the construction works in Swedish.

You normally say:

• dels ... dels ...

Not just one dels.

So:

• Vi arbetar dels vid drejskivan, dels vid bordet. = correct

The repeated dels clearly marks the two parallel parts of the sentence.

Not exactly.

Both can connect two things, but they often feel slightly different:

• både ... och ... = both ... and ...
• dels ... dels ... = partly ... partly ... / in one respect ... in another ... / in two different ways or areas

Compare:

• Vi arbetar både vid drejskivan och vid bordet.
• Vi arbetar dels vid drejskivan, dels vid bordet.

The first simply says both places are involved.

The second can suggest a division or distribution: the work is done in one part at the wheel and in another part at the table.

In many everyday contexts, though, the difference is small.

Here vid means at, by, or beside, depending on context.

In this sentence, it means working at a particular station or location:

• vid drejskivan = at the wheel
• vid bordet = at the table

Swedish often uses vid for being physically positioned near or at something.

Those endings show the definite form in Swedish.

• en drejskiva = a potter’s wheel

• drejskivan = the potter’s wheel

• ett bord = a table
• bordet = the table

Swedish usually adds the definite article as an ending on the noun, instead of putting a separate word before it.

So:

• vid drejskivan = at the wheel
• vid bordet = at the table

Because the sentence refers to specific, known places in the situation.

This is very natural in Swedish when talking about work areas, rooms, tools, stations, and objects that are understood from context.

So drejskivan and bordet are not just any wheel and any table, but the relevant wheel and table in that setting.

It is a compound noun.

It is made up of:

• drej- from dreja = to throw pottery / to turn on a wheel
• skiva = disc, plate

So drejskiva literally has the idea of a turning disc, which is the potter’s wheel.

Then the definite ending -n is added:

• drejskiva → drejskivan

This is normal Swedish main-clause word order.

• Vi = subject
• arbetar = verb

So the sentence starts in the standard way:

• Vi arbetar ... = We work ...

Then the paired expression dels ... dels ... adds the two locations.

Nothing unusual is happening here. It is a straightforward main clause.

Usually, you should keep it.

So this is best:

• Vi arbetar dels vid drejskivan, dels vid bordet.

Repeating the preposition makes the structure clear and balanced.

Leaving it out would sound incomplete or unnatural to most learners and in many contexts to native speakers as well.

The comma is very common here, and it helps readability:

• Vi arbetar dels vid drejskivan, dels vid bordet.

With paired structures like dels ... dels ..., a comma is often used, especially when the parts are a bit longer.

You may sometimes see Swedish commas used a little less strictly in informal writing, but here the comma is natural and recommended.

Yes, often you could.

• arbetar = work; slightly more neutral or formal
• jobbar = work; more everyday and conversational

So:

• Vi jobbar dels vid drejskivan, dels vid bordet.

This is possible in ordinary spoken Swedish.

The original sentence with arbetar sounds a bit more neutral and standard.

It is pronounced roughly like dells in English, but with a clear Swedish e sound.

A simple learner-friendly guide:

• dels ≈ dels

Try to keep it short and crisp.

And the whole paired phrase:

• dels ..., dels ...

is usually spoken with a slight rhythmic balance, since the two parts mirror each other.

Yes. It sounds natural, especially in a context where you are describing how work is divided between two stations or activities.

For example, in a ceramics workshop, it would make very good sense:

• Vi arbetar dels vid drejskivan, dels vid bordet.

It sounds a little organized or descriptive, which fits explanations, presentations, instructions, or written Swedish very well.