Questions & Answers about Kan du lyssna nu?
Why is it lyssna and not lyssnar?
Because kan is a modal verb. After modals in Swedish (kan, ska, vill, måste, får, bör, brukar), you use the bare infinitive without att: kan lyssna.
- Statement with main verb: Du lyssnar nu.
- With a modal: Du kan lyssna nu.
- Question with a modal: Kan du lyssna nu?
Do I need att before lyssna here?
No. After modal verbs you do not use att: Kan du lyssna nu? You do use att in other structures, for example with a subordinate clause:
- Jag vill att du lyssnar nu. (I want you to listen now.)
Should I use lyssna or höra?
- lyssna = to listen (active, paying attention). Use it for requests to pay attention: Kan du lyssna nu?
- höra = to hear (perceive sound). Use it for audibility: Hör du mig nu? or Kan du höra mig nu? (“Can you hear me now?”)
Why isn’t there a på after lyssna?