Kan vi komma vid samma tid som igår?

Breakdown of Kan vi komma vid samma tid som igår?

kunna
can
vi
we
igår
yesterday
komma
to come
som
as
tiden
the time
samma
same
vid
at
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Questions & Answers about Kan vi komma vid samma tid som igår?

What’s the difference between using kan vi and får vi here?
  • Kan vi asks about possibility/feasibility: Are we able to/Is it possible for us to come at that time?
  • Får vi asks about permission: Are we allowed to come at that time?
  • To sound extra polite/soft, many Swedes use the conditional: Skulle vi kunna komma vid samma tid som i går? or phrasing like Går det bra att vi kommer vid samma tid som i går?
Why is it komma and not kommer?

Because kan is a modal verb and is followed by the infinitive komma.

  • Kan vi komma …? = Can we come …? (ability/possibility/request)
  • Kommer vi …? = Are we coming …? (checking a plan/expectation)
Why use vid for “at” here, and when would I use klockan or ?
  • vid is used for “at/around” a point in time: vid fem, vid lunchtid, vid samma tid. Often slightly approximate.
  • klockan is used for exact clock times: Kan vi komma klockan fem? (no preposition).
  • is used with days/parts of the day: på måndag, på kvällen. Not for exact clock times: not på fem.
Can I drop vid and just say samma tid som i går?

Yes: Kan vi komma samma tid som i går? is fully natural.

  • With vid: often feels a bit more “around that time.”
  • Without vid: can feel a touch more exact.
    If you mean exactness, you can say exakt samma tid or give the time: klockan fem igen.
Why som i går and not än i går?
  • som is used for equality/comparison of sameness: samma … som.
  • än is for comparative differences: senare än i går, tidigare än i går.
    So: samma tid som i går, but senare än i går.
Is igår correct, or should it be i går?
Both are accepted. Many style guides recommend the spaced form (i dag, i morgon, i går), while the concatenated forms (idag, imorgon, igår) are very common in everyday writing. Pick one style and be consistent.
Could I say på samma tid instead?

Not in standard Swedish for clock time. Say vid samma tid or just samma tid.
Use with days/parts of day: på måndag, på förmiddagen, but not på fem or på samma tid.

What’s the nuance difference between tid, tidpunkt, and klockslag?
  • tid: “time” in a general sense; here it means “time of day” (broadest, most neutral).
  • tidpunkt: a specific point in time (more formal/precise).
  • klockslag: a specific clock time (e.g., 14:30).
    You could say vid samma tidpunkt (more exact/formal) or vid samma klockslag (explicitly the same clock time).
Is samtidigt a good substitute for “at the same time” here?

No. Samtidigt means “simultaneously,” i.e., two things happening at once.

  • Kan vi komma vid samma tid som i går? = the same time of day as yesterday.
  • Kan vi komma samtidigt som …? = at the same time as something else happens.
Do I need som after samma tid? Could I say vid samma tid i går?

For this meaning (matching yesterday’s time), use som: vid samma tid som i går.
Without som, vid samma tid i går usually refers to a time yesterday in a statement: Vid samma tid i går var jag på gymmet.
For scheduling, you’ll hear: Ses vi samma tid i morgon? and, when referring back to yesterday, samma tid som i går.

Why is there no article before samma tid?
Samma is inherently definite and doesn’t take an article: samma tid, samma bok, samma personer. You can add adjectives, but still no article: exakt samma tid (not den samma tid).
Is the word order typical for a yes–no question in Swedish?

Yes. Swedish yes–no questions start with the finite verb (V–S order): Kan vi komma …?
The corresponding statement is Vi kan komma ….

If I want to be extra polite or tentative, how could I rephrase the whole sentence?
  • Skulle vi kunna komma vid samma tid som i går?
  • Går det bra att vi kommer vid samma tid som i går?
  • Even softer: Skulle det vara möjligt att vi kommer vid samma tid som i går?
Does vid samma tid imply “exactly the same time” or “around the same time”?
By default, vid often implies “around.” If you want precision, use exakt samma tid or specify the time: klockan fem igen.
Do I need to say who/where we’re coming to, e.g., komma till dig?

Not if it’s clear from context. Komma can stand alone. To be explicit, add a destination:

  • Kan vi komma till dig vid samma tid som i går?
  • Kan vi komma till kliniken vid samma tid som i går?