Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swedish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Jag känner mig bra.
What does "Jag känner mig bra" mean in English?
It translates to "I feel good." In this sentence, "jag" means "I", "känner" means "feel," "mig" is the reflexive pronoun equivalent to "myself" (used here as part of the expression), and "bra" means "good."
Why is the reflexive pronoun "mig" used in this sentence?
In Swedish, when expressing personal feelings with the verb "känna" used in this context, the reflexive pronoun is required. The "mig" indicates that the subject is experiencing the feeling themselves. Without it, the sentence would be grammatically incomplete or could lead to a different meaning.
Could the sentence be correctly written without the reflexive pronoun (i.e., "Jag känner bra")?
No, it cannot. Omitting "mig" would remove the reflexive structure that Swedish requires in this context. "Känna sig" is a fixed expression to convey a state of feeling, so "Jag känner bra" would be considered incorrect.
How is "bra" functioning in this sentence? Is it an adjective or an adverb?
"Bra" functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject’s state. While in English you might think of it adverbially (as in "feel good"), in Swedish, adjectives like "bra" are used directly without changing form, effectively describing how the subject feels.
What is the difference between "Jag känner mig bra" and "Jag mår bra"?
Both expressions convey that someone is feeling good, but they use different verbs. "Känna sig" focuses on the immediate sensation or feeling and is a reflexive construction, while "må" relates more to overall well-being or health. "Jag mår bra" is more commonly used in everyday language to express a state of being well.
What is the word order and structure of the sentence?
The sentence follows a typical Swedish structure: Subject (Jag) + Verb (känner) + Reflexive Pronoun (mig) + Predicate Adjective (bra). This sequence mirrors the English structure but includes the necessary reflexive pronoun, which is essential in Swedish for expressing personal states of feeling.