Learn Hardcore Swedish: Vi kan väl gå till parken imorgon? - We can go to the park tomorrow, can’t we?

Väl is a modal particle that softens the statement and turns it into a friendly suggestion. It’s similar to saying “we could” or “why don’t we” in English. Without väl, the sentence (“Vi kan gå till parken imorgon?”) would sound more neutral or even a bit abrupt.

Why is kan used here? Does it mean “can” or “shall”?

Kan is the present tense of kunna (“to be able to”). Literally it means “can,” but Swedish often uses kan + infinitive to make suggestions. In this context it functions like English “could” or “shall,” so Vi kan väl gå…? is akin to “Shall we go to the park tomorrow?”

Why doesn’t the sentence invert the subject and verb to form a question (i.e., Kan vi väl gå…?)?

Swedish follows the V2 (verb-second) rule: the finite verb must be in second position. If you start with the subject Vi, the verb stays in second position and you do not invert. Intonation and the question mark signal that it’s a question. If you begin with another element (e.g., Imorgon), you would then invert:
Imorgon kan vi väl gå till parken?

Why is imorgon placed at the end of the sentence? Could it go first?

Swedish word order allows you to move time expressions like imorgon to the front for emphasis. However, whatever you put first, the finite verb must remain in second position. So both are correct:
– Vi kan väl gå till parken imorgon?
– Imorgon kan vi väl gå till parken?
Putting imorgon first stresses “tomorrow.”

Why is it till parken instead of i parken or just park?

Till indicates movement towards a destination: “to the park.” The noun park is definite (“the park”), so you use the -en ending: parken. If you said i parken, it would mean “in the park” (location rather than movement).

Is imorgon always one word? I’ve also seen i morgon.

Modern standard Swedish writes imorgon as one word. Writing it as i morgon is older or more colloquial, but people will understand both. For formal writing, stick with imorgon.

Can you drop the subject Vi in Swedish like in English (“Can go to the park tomorrow?”)?

Generally no. Swedish usually requires an explicit subject, even when context is clear. You need Vi here. In very casual speech you might hear pronouns omitted occasionally, but it’s not standard.

How would you pronounce imorgon and väl?

– imorgon: [i-MOR-gon], with the stress on the second syllable (the “mor” part). The “i” sounds like English “ee.”
– väl: [vel], with a short “e” as in “bed.”