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Questions & Answers about Vad vill du köpa?
Why is it vill + köpa and not vill du köper?
In Swedish, modal verbs (like vill, kan, ska, måste, bör, får, brukar, behöver) are followed by the bare infinitive without att and without the -r ending. So you say vill köpa, not vill köper. Use köper only when it’s the main finite verb: Du köper…
Should there be att before köpa (vill att köpa)?
No. With vill + infinitive you do not use att: vill köpa.
Use vill att only when it’s followed by a clause (someone else doing something):
- Jag vill att du köper… (I want you to buy…)
Why is the word order Vad vill du… and not Vad du vill…?
Swedish is a V2 language: in main clauses the finite verb is in second position. In wh-questions, the wh-word (Vad) comes first, the finite verb (vill) second, then the subject (du): Vad (1) vill (2) du (3) köpa…
Can I say Vill du köpa vad?
Not in normal Swedish. Wh-words like vad must be fronted. For emphasis you can say Vad är det du vill köpa?, which is also natural.
What’s the difference between vill, skulle vilja, and vill ha?
- vill + infinitive: you want to do something (direct/neutral).
- skulle vilja + infinitive: you would like to do something (softer/more polite).
- vill ha + noun: you want a thing. Do not say Jag vill kaffe; say Jag vill ha kaffe.
You can combine politeness with a noun: Jag skulle vilja ha kaffe.
Why is it vad here and not vilken/vilket/vilka?
- vad = open-ended “what.”
- vilken/vilket/vilka = “which,” used when choosing among known items or when a noun follows: Vilken bok vill du köpa?
- To ask about the type of thing, you can say Vad för (något) vill du köpa?
How do I negate this question?
Place inte after the subject and finite verb, but before the infinitive:
- Vad vill du inte köpa?
In statements: Jag vill inte köpa den. (finite verb + subject + inte + infinitive)
How do I pronounce Vad vill du köpa?
- Vad: [vaːd], often just [va] in everyday speech (final d often silent).
- vill: [vɪl] (short i).
- du: [dʉː] (long, rounded front u).
- köpa: [ˈɕøːpa] (k before ö becomes [ɕ]; ö is [øː]).
Overall wh-questions typically have a falling intonation; main stress on kö in köpa.
How do I say it in the past or with have wanted?
The verb vilja is irregular: infinitive vilja, present vill, past ville, supine velat.
- Past: Vad ville du köpa?
- Present perfect: Vad har du velat köpa?
Note: it’s velat, not “viljat.”
What if I’m talking to more than one person or being formally polite?
Use ni for plural: Vad vill ni köpa?
A capitalized Ni is sometimes used to address one person politely in service contexts, but everyday Swedish typically uses du for single addressees.
How do I say “What do you want to buy for me/them?” Which preposition?
Use till (to/for, often gifts/intended recipient) or åt (for/on behalf of).
- Vad vill du köpa till mig? (for me)
- Vad vill du köpa åt barnen? (for the children, on their behalf)
Is there a difference between köpa, handla, köpa in, and shoppa?
- köpa: to buy (neutral, most common).
- handla: to shop/run errands; also “to trade.”
- köpa in: to procure/purchase for an organization/stock.
- shoppa: to shop (leisure/fashion).
I often hear Vad vill du köpa för något. What does för något add?
Vad vill du köpa för (något)? asks about the kind/type of thing, not a specific known item. It’s like saying “what sort of thing.” The (något) is often omitted in speech but understood.