Learn Hardcore Swedish: Ofta tar jag ett litet mellanmål på eftermiddagen när jag blir hungrig. - I often have a small snack in the afternoon when I get hungry.

In Swedish, when a sentence begins with an adverb like Ofta, it triggers an inversion in the sentence structure. This means the verb (tar) comes right after the adverb before the subject (jag), emphasizing the frequency of the action.

How should I interpret the verb tar here, since in English we might say “have” a snack instead of “take” one?

While tar literally translates as take, in Swedish it’s commonly used in expressions about food. Just as you might “take” a coffee break in Swedish (e.g., ta en fika), here tar is used to mean have or enjoy a little snack.

What does the phrase ett litet mellanmål mean, and why are ett and litet used in this way?

The phrase ett litet mellanmål means a little snack. Ett is the indefinite article used with neuter nouns, and litet is the neuter singular form of the adjective liten (meaning “little”). Since mellanmål is a neuter noun, both the article and the adjective must agree with its gender.

Why is the prepositional phrase på eftermiddagen structured as it is?

På eftermiddagen translates to in the afternoon. The preposition på is typically used with parts of the day in Swedish, and eftermiddagen is the definite form of eftermiddag, which specifies that it’s the afternoon.

What does the clause när jag blir hungrig add to the sentence?

The clause när jag blir hungrig means when I become hungry. It functions as a subordinate clause that explains the condition under which the snack is taken, indicating that the action happens when the speaker experiences hunger.