Learn Hardcore Swedish: Vi planerar ett nytt projekt på jobbet idag. - We are planning a new project at work today.

Because projekt is a neuter noun (an ett-word). In the indefinite singular, neuter adjectives take the -t ending: nytt. So you say ett nytt projekt. If it were a common-gender noun, you’d use en and the adjective base form: en ny idé.

What are the singular/plural and definite forms of projekt?

Singular indefinite: ett projekt
Singular definite: projektet
Plural indefinite: projekt
Plural definite: projekten Adjective agreement: det nya projektet, nya projekt, de nya projekten.

Why is it på jobbet (definite) and not just på jobb?

Swedish uses the definite form with many “at [place/institution]” expressions. På jobbet idiomatically means “at work (at my/our workplace).” Ett jobb = a job; jobbet = the job, used here as “the workplace.” Similar patterns: i skolan (at school), på kontoret (at the office), på sjukhuset (at the hospital).

Why use the preposition på with jobbet and not i?

For workplaces, institutions, and many activities, Swedish typically uses på to mean “at”: på jobbet, på kontoret, på universitetet. I jobbet/i arbetet suggests “in one’s work/as part of the work” (within the work itself), not the physical location.

Can idag go in other positions? How does word order work here?

Yes. Swedish is V2 (finite verb in second position). Common options:

Neutral: Vi planerar ett nytt projekt på jobbet idag. (place before time)
Time-first: Idag planerar vi ett nytt projekt på jobbet. (V2 respected)
After the verb: Vi planerar idag ett nytt projekt på jobbet. (more formal/emphasis on “today”) Time-before-place is also possible: Vi planerar ett nytt projekt idag på jobbet, though place-before-time is a frequent default.

Is idag or i dag correct?

Both are correct. i dag is the traditional spaced form; idag is very common in modern usage. Be consistent within a text.

Does planerar cover “are planning” even without a separate progressive form?

Yes. Swedish present covers both simple and progressive meanings, so Vi planerar ... can mean “we are planning ... (now/today).” To stress an ongoing process, say Vi håller på att planera ett nytt projekt or Vi håller på och planerar ett nytt projekt.

Should I say planerar att here? When do I use planera att vs a direct object?

Planning the thing itself: Vi planerar ett nytt projekt.
Planning to do something: Vi planerar att starta ett nytt projekt.
planera för = “make plans/allow for”: Vi planerar för en expansion. It doesn’t fit the original sentence.

Why nytt and not nya?

Adjective endings:

Common-gender, indefinite singular: ny (e.g., en ny idé)
Neuter, indefinite singular: nytt (e.g., ett nytt projekt)
Definite singular and all plurals: nya (e.g., det nya projektet, nya projekt)

How do you pronounce the sentence?

Approximation:

Vi [vee]
planerar [pla-NEH-rar] (stress on -ne-; long e)
ett [eht]
nytt [nyt] with Swedish y like German ü/French u; double tt long
projekt [pro-YEKT] (the j is a “y” sound)
på [paw] (long vowel)
jobbet [YOB-bett] (initial j = “y”; double bb long)
idag [ee-DAHG] Say it smoothly: vee pla-NEH-rar eht nyt pro-YEKT paw YOB-bett ee-DAHG.

What’s the difference between jobb and arbete?

jobb = everyday/colloquial “job/work.” på jobbet is the standard “at work.”
arbete = more formal/abstract “work/labour.” på arbetet is possible but more formal; i arbetet often means “in the course of the work.” Both are neuter: ett jobb, ett arbete.

Could I say Vi ska planera ett nytt projekt på jobbet idag instead?

Yes. ska expresses intention/scheduled future (“we’re going to”). With idag, both Vi planerar ... idag and Vi ska planera ... idag work; choose based on whether you want “are (in the process of) planning” vs “are going to plan.”

Is there any reason to prefer idag at the end instead of the beginning?

Ending with time is a neutral pattern. Starting with Idag gives extra emphasis or contrast to “today.” Both are correct; word order mainly changes the focus.

Do Swedish pronouns like vi get capitalized the way English capitalizes “I”?

No. Swedish pronouns are lowercase unless they begin the sentence. So vi is lowercase mid-sentence; jag (I) is not capitalized except at sentence start.

Are there near-synonyms for projekt I might see in similar sentences?

Yes, depending on nuance:

uppdrag (assignment/mission)
initiativ (initiative)
satsning (strategic push/investment)
uppgift (task; usually smaller in scope)

Could I omit parts like på jobbet or idag?

Yes. They’re optional adverbials. Vi planerar ett nytt projekt is complete; add på jobbet and/or idag when you want to specify where/when.