Breakdown of Vi använder kartan när vi går mot stranden.
vi
we
när
when
stranden
the beach
mot
toward
kartan
the map
använda
to use
gå
to walk
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Questions & Answers about Vi använder kartan när vi går mot stranden.
Why is it kartan and stranden instead of karta and strand?
Swedish marks “the” by adding a suffix to the noun.
- en karta → kartan (the map)
- en strand → stranden (the beach)
You use the definite form when the thing is specific/known in context. Here, it’s clear we mean a particular map and the (contextually understood) beach. If you meant any map/any beach, you’d use en karta / en strand.
Does går mean “go” or “walk”? When would I use åker?
- gå(r) primarily means “to walk,” i.e., moving on foot. It also covers English “go” when the manner is walking: Vi går mot stranden.
- åka(r) is “to go/travel (by vehicle)”: Vi åker till stranden (we’re going by car/bus/etc.).
- Swedish present covers English simple and progressive: Vi går = “we walk” / “we’re walking.”
What does mot mean here, and how is it different from till?
- mot = “toward(s), facing.” It indicates direction without necessarily arriving: Vi går mot stranden (we’re heading that way).
- till = “to (arriving at).” Vi går till stranden means the beach is the destination and you’ll end up there. Tip: If arrival is the point, use till. If you just want to express heading in that direction, use mot.
Can I start the sentence with the när-clause?
Yes. Both are fine:
- Vi använder kartan när vi går mot stranden.
- När vi går mot stranden använder vi kartan.
Notice verb-second (V2) in the main clause after a fronted element: in the second version använder comes right after the initial när-clause.
Where does inte go in these clauses?
- In a main clause, inte usually comes after the finite verb: Vi använder inte kartan.
- In a subordinate clause (like a när-clause), inte comes before the finite verb: när vi inte går mot stranden. Examples:
- Vi använder inte kartan när vi går mot stranden.
- När vi inte går mot stranden använder vi kartan ändå.
Could I use medan instead of när?
Often, yes, with a nuance:
- när = “when” (time point/occasion; can be general or repeated).
- medan = “while” (emphasizes simultaneity). So Medan vi går mot stranden använder vi kartan stresses “during the time we’re walking,” whereas När vi går … is a bit broader (“when(ever) we go …”).
Do I need a comma before the när-clause?
Not when the när-clause follows the main clause: Vi använder kartan när vi går mot stranden (no comma). If the när-clause comes first, many writers insert a comma before the main clause: När vi går mot stranden, använder vi kartan. Modern style often makes that comma optional.
What’s the difference between mot and emot?
- For direction/movement, use mot: gå mot stranden.
- emot is common in “opposed to” or “opposite” contexts: Jag är emot krig (I’m against war), mitt emot (opposite/across from). Using gå emot can mean “to oppose” or “to go up against,” not “walk toward.” So here, mot is the right choice.
How do I conjugate använda and gå?
- att använda (to use): present använder, past använde, supine använt, imperative använd!
- att gå (to walk/go on foot): present går, past gick, supine gått, imperative gå!
What are the plural forms of karta and strand?
- en karta → plural: kartor; definite plural: kartorna
- en strand → plural: stränder; definite plural: stränderna Note the vowel change in strand → stränder (an umlaut-type change common in some Swedish nouns).
Is Vi använder oss av kartan also correct? What’s the difference?
Yes: Vi använder oss av kartan is correct and a bit more formal/literary. It means “we make use of the map.” The simpler Vi använder kartan is more direct and is what you’ll typically say.
How do I say “at the beach,” “to the beach,” and “toward the beach”?
- Location/at: på stranden (at/on the beach), or vid stranden (by/near the beach).
- Destination/to: till stranden.
- Direction toward: mot stranden. Examples:
- Vi är på stranden.
- Vi går till stranden.
- Vi går mot stranden.
Can this sentence refer to the future?
Yes. Swedish present can express scheduled/near-future events, especially with a time expression:
- I morgon använder vi kartan när vi går mot stranden. You can also use ska or kommer att for clearer future:
- Vi ska använda kartan när vi går mot stranden.
- Vi kommer att använda kartan när vi går mot stranden.
Any pronunciation tips for tricky sounds here?
- går: å is a long [oː] (like the vowel in English “more,” but rounder). The word sounds like [goːr].
- mot: o is long [uː], so [muːt].
- kartan: rt becomes a single retroflex [ʈ] in many accents (tongue slightly curled back): [ˈkɑːʈan].
- använder: ä is [ɛ]; stress on the first syllable: [ˈanvɛnːdɛr].
- när: long [nɛːr].
- stranden: [ˈstrandɛn]; clear nd cluster.