Learn Hardcore Swedish: Vi bor i olika hus, men vi pratar ofta. - We live in different houses, but we talk often.

på landet (in the countryside), på en ö (on an island), på Gotland, på en gård, på hotell/sjukhus (at a hotel/hospital, general sense).

So living in a house is naturally bo i (ett) hus.

Why does hus have no plural ending here?

Hus is an ett-word whose indefinite singular and plural look the same. Forms:

singular indefinite: ett hus
singular definite: huset
plural indefinite: hus
plural definite: husen In olika hus, context and olika signal the plural.

Does olika change form? Can I say ett olika hus?

Olika is invariable in this use and is typically used with plurals or predicatively. You don’t say ett olika hus. For a single “different/another” house, use:

ett annat hus (another/different house)
ett annorlunda hus (an unusual/peculiar house) Predicative is fine: Husen är olika.

Does Vi bor i olika hus mean different houses from each other? How to be extra clear?

Yes, with vi, it normally means the speakers live in separate houses. To make it explicit that each person has their own one:

two people: Vi bor i varsitt hus.
more than two: Vi bor i varsina hus. You can also clarify number: Vi bor i två olika hus.

Why is it Vi pratar ofta and not Vi ofta pratar?

Main clauses follow the verb‑second rule: the finite verb comes in second position. With Vi first, the verb pratar must be second; adverbs like ofta follow:

Correct: Vi pratar ofta.
Not as a main clause: Vi ofta pratar. In subordinate clauses, the order changes: att vi ofta pratar is fine.

Can I front the adverb and say Ofta pratar vi? What about after men?

Yes. Fronting ofta is natural for emphasis:

Ofta pratar vi. After men, both are possible:
neutral: ..., men vi pratar ofta.
emphasized: ..., men ofta pratar vi. Avoid ..., men pratar vi ofta unless you’re asking a question.

Do I need the second vi after men? Is ..., men pratar ofta okay?

Repeat the subject in standard Swedish: ..., men vi pratar ofta. Dropping vi is elliptical and mostly seen in headlines, notes, or very informal texting.

Why is there a comma before men? Is it required?

A comma before men that links two independent clauses is common and stylistically recommended in many guides:

Vi bor i olika hus, men vi pratar ofta. It’s also acceptable without the comma in short sentences:
Vi bor i olika hus men vi pratar ofta.

What’s the difference between pratar, talar, and snackar?

pratar: neutral, everyday default for talk/speak. (Vi pratar ofta.)
talar: a bit more formal or careful; also used with languages. (Vi talar ofta i telefon.)
snackar: informal/colloquial, “chat.” (Vi snackar ofta.) A formal alternative is samtalar (to converse).

Does vi pratar ofta already imply “to each other”? How to say it explicitly?

Context usually implies “to each other,” but you can be explicit:

Vi pratar ofta med varandra. (also med varann colloquially) Other natural options:
Vi hörs ofta. (We keep in touch / talk often, esp. by phone)
Vi ringer ofta.

Where should ofta go if I add more details, like “on the phone” or “in the evenings”?

Typical order is verb‑second, then frequency/time adverbs, then other details:

Vi pratar ofta i telefon på kvällen. You can front elements for emphasis while keeping the finite verb second:
På kvällen pratar vi ofta i telefon.

How do I say it in the past?

Use the preterite:

Vi bodde i olika hus, men vi pratade ofta. You can also use talade instead of pratade:
Vi bodde i olika hus, men vi talade ofta.

Any quick pronunciation tips for key words?

vi: like English “vee.”
bor: long oo sound, roughly “boor.”
i: “ee.”
olika: stress on first syllable, roughly “OO-lee-kah.”
hus: long oo, “hoos.”
men: short e as in “men”/“bed.”
pratar: roughly “PRAH-tar,” with a tapped/flapped r.