Learn Hardcore Swedish: Trots vinden cyklar jag till gymmet.

Trots is a preposition meaning “despite.” It introduces the noun phrase trots vinden, which you translate as “despite the wind.” When you want to follow it with a full clause instead of just a noun, you add att (see next question).

What’s the difference between trots and trots att, and when do I use each?

Use trots alone when you have a noun or noun phrase:
• trots vinden = “despite the wind.”
Use trots att when you want to introduce a subordinate clause:
• trots att det blåser = “even though it’s windy.”

Why is vinden used without a separate article, and why is it in the definite form?

Swedish marks definiteness by adding a suffix to the noun, not by a separate word.
• vind = “wind” (indefinite)
• vinden = “the wind” (definite)
After prepositions like trots, you simply attach -en (for common gender) to show “the wind.” If you wanted to say “despite wind” in general, you could even say trots vind or trots regn (“despite rain”), but trots vinden implies a specific wind you’re feeling.

Why is the word order cyklar jag instead of jag cyklar after Trots vinden?

Swedish follows the V2 rule: the finite verb must be in second position. When an adverbial or prepositional phrase (Trots vinden) comes first, the verb comes next, and the subject follows the verb.
Structure here:
1. Trots vinden
2. cyklar (verb)
3. jag (subject)
…till gymmet.

What does till mean in this context?

till is the preposition “to” or “towards” when talking about movement or direction. Here, till gymmet means “to the gym.”

Why is gymmet in the definite form rather than ett gym?

In Swedish the definite article attaches to the end of the noun:
• ett gym = “a gym”
• gymmet = “the gym”
Because you’re referring to a particular gym (your regular workout place), you use the definite form gymmet.

Can I place Trots vinden at the end of the sentence, and how would that affect word order?

Yes. If you say Jag cyklar till gymmet trots vinden, the subject jag remains first, so there’s no inversion:
1. Jag (subject)
2. cyklar (verb)
…till gymmet
trots vinden.
Putting trots vinden at the end makes the sentence sound more neutral; fronting it (as in the original) adds emphasis.

What’s the difference between trots and även om?

Both express concession but behave differently:
• trots is a preposition used with a noun phrase (trots vinden = “despite the wind”).
• även om is a conjunction used with a clause (även om det blåser = “even though it’s windy”).
You can’t follow även om with just a noun, and you can’t use trots directly before a clause without adding att.

How do you pronounce Trots vinden cyklar jag till gymmet?

Approximate Swedish pronunciation (with English sounds):
• Trots = /trohts/ (like “trohts”)
• vinden = /ˈveen-den/
• cyklar = /ˈsyk-lar/ (the y is like the German ü or French u)
• jag = /yaːg/ (a long “ya” plus a soft g)
• till = /tɪl/ (short i as in “sit”)
• gymmet = /ˈym-met/ (again y like ü, double m)
Put it all together smoothly:
“trohts ˈveen-den ˈsyk-lar yaːg tɪl ˈym-met.”