Breakdown of Gå långsamt, tack.
tack
please
långsamt
slowly
gå
to walk
Three Swedish verbs where English just says go: gå on your own legs, åka when a vehicle carries you, köra when you drive it yourself.
Jag går hem = I walk home. Jag åker hem = I go home by bus, train or car. Jag kör hem = I drive home.
Questions & Answers about Gå långsamt, tack.
Does Swedish Gå mean “go” or specifically “walk”?
It specifically means walk (on foot). If you’re telling a driver to go slowly, you’d say Kör långsamt (“Drive slowly”). For someone on a bike or in a vehicle more generally, you can use Åk långsamt (“Travel/go slowly [by vehicle]”).
Why is it Gå and not Går?
Gå is the imperative (a direct request/command). Går is the present tense (“walks/is walking/goes”).
- Imperative: Gå långsamt, tack.
- Present: Jag går långsamt. (“I walk slowly.”)
Is the imperative form the same for one person and several people?
Yes. Swedish imperatives don’t change for singular/plural. Gå långsamt, tack can address one person or a group. The subject (du/ni) is understood and omitted.
What’s going on with the -t at the end of långsamt?
Långsam is an adjective (“slow”). Swedish often forms adverbs from adjectives by using the neuter form ending in -t:
- Adjective: långsam (en), långsamt (ett), långsamma (plural/def.)
- Adverb: långsamt = “slowly”
Comparatives: långsammare (more slowly), långsammast (most slowly).