Jag väntar vid biblioteket.

I

Breakdown of Jag väntar vid biblioteket.

• biblioteket: the library
• vänta: to wait
• vid: at

Questions & Answers about Jag väntar vid biblioteket.

What does the preposition bolded as vid mean here?

Vid mainly means by, next to, or at (as a point of reference). In Jag väntar vid biblioteket, it implies you’re waiting by/near the library building, typically outside or right by it, rather than inside.

Could I say på biblioteket or i biblioteket instead of vid biblioteket?

• på biblioteket often means at the library as an institution and usually implies you’re there (often inside). Very common in Swedish for places like på jobbet (at work), på universitetet (at the university).
• i biblioteket emphasises being physically inside the building.
• vid biblioteket highlights being by/near the library (often outside).
  Choose based on what you want to emphasize.

How do I say “I’m waiting for you at the library”?

Use the verb–preposition pair vänta på for “wait for”:

• Jag väntar på dig vid biblioteket (I’m waiting for you by the library/outside).
• Jag väntar på dig på biblioteket (I’m waiting for you at the library, typically inside).

Why is there no -ing form like “I am waiting”?