Läkaren vill undersöka foten idag.

Because läkaren is the definite form of läkare.

• läkare = a doctor / doctor
• läkaren = the doctor

In Swedish, the definite article is often added as an ending to the noun instead of being a separate word like the in English.

So:

• en läkare = a doctor
• läkaren = the doctor

For the same reason: foten is the definite form of fot.

• en fot = a foot
• foten = the foot

So the sentence specifically refers to the foot, not just a foot.

Notice that Swedish often puts the definite ending directly onto the noun:

• fot → foten
• läkare → läkaren

That is one of the normal ways Swedish marks definiteness.

In English, you usually use a separate word:

• the doctor
• the foot

In Swedish, you often attach the definite article to the noun:

• läkaren
• foten

This is very common and one of the first big differences English speakers notice.

A simplified pattern is:

• en word + -en in the definite singular
  
  • en bok → boken
  • en fot → foten

But the exact ending can vary depending on the noun.

Because Swedish infinitives often appear without an extra word after modal verbs like vill.

In English:

• wants to examine

In Swedish:

• vill undersöka

Here:

• vill = wants
• undersöka = to examine / examine

After verbs like vill, kan, ska, måste, Swedish usually uses the bare infinitive, without att.

Compare:

• Läkaren vill undersöka foten. = The doctor wants to examine the foot.

But in other contexts, Swedish can use att before the infinitive.

Undersöka is the infinitive form of the verb.

Its basic forms are:

• att undersöka = to examine
• undersöker = examines / is examining
• undersökte = examined
• undersökt = examined (supine/past participle-related form depending on context)

In this sentence, it follows vill, so it stays in the infinitive:

• vill undersöka = wants to examine

This is normal Swedish main-clause word order.

The basic structure is:

subject + verb + infinitive/object/adverbials

So here:

• Läkaren = subject
• vill = finite verb
• undersöka = infinitive
• foten = object
• idag = time expression

A very literal breakdown is:

• The doctor
  • wants
    • to examine
      • the foot
        • today

This is quite similar to English in this sentence.

Yes, Swedish allows some flexibility, but the position can affect emphasis or sound more or less natural.

The given sentence:

• Läkaren vill undersöka foten idag.

is very natural.

You could also hear:

• Idag vill läkaren undersöka foten.
  = Today, the doctor wants to examine the foot.

That version puts more focus on today.

Because Swedish is a V2 language, the finite verb usually comes in the second position in main clauses. So if you move idag to the front, vill must still stay second:

• Idag vill läkaren undersöka foten.

Not:

• Idag läkaren vill undersöka foten. ❌

Vill is the present tense of vilja, which means to want.

So:

• jag vill = I want
• läkaren vill = the doctor wants

In this sentence, vill expresses intention or desire:

• Läkaren vill undersöka foten idag.
• The doctor wants to examine the foot today.

Depending on context, English might sometimes translate it a bit more naturally as would like to examine, but the basic meaning is still wants to.

A rough guide for English speakers:

• läkaren ≈ LEH-ka-ren
• undersöka ≈ UN-der-shur-ka or UN-der-suh-ka as a rough approximation

A few important points:

• ä sounds somewhat like the vowel in bed, though not exactly the same.
• ö does not exist in English; it is somewhat like the vowel in British bird but with rounded lips.
• sj in undersöka is a difficult Swedish sound. It does not match a normal English sh exactly, but sh is a reasonable beginner approximation.

Also:

• foten ≈ FOO-ten
• idag ≈ ee-DAHG

Stress is important:

• läkaren: stress on the first syllable
• undersöka: stress usually on -sö-
• idag: stress on the second syllable

Swedish often leaves that information unstated if it is obvious from context.

So foten just means the foot. Depending on the situation, English might naturally say:

• the foot
• his foot
• her foot
• your foot

But Swedish does not have to specify that unless it matters.

If you wanted to say his foot, you could say:

• hans fot

If you wanted her foot:

• hennes fot

But the original sentence simply says the foot.

Yes. Foten is the direct object of undersöka.

The verb undersöka is something you do to something:

• examine the foot

So in the sentence:

• Läkaren = subject
• vill = finite verb
• undersöka = infinitive verb
• foten = direct object
• idag = time adverbial

Yes. Doktorn is another common word for the doctor.

So both are possible:

• Läkaren vill undersöka foten idag.
• Doktorn vill undersöka foten idag.

In many contexts, läkare is a bit more formal or professional, while doktor/doktorn is very common in everyday speech. The exact nuance depends on context.

Because after vill, Swedish normally drops att.

Compare:

• Läkaren vill undersöka foten. = correct
• Läkaren vill att undersöka foten. = incorrect

This is similar to other modal-like verbs:

• Jag kan simma. = I can swim.
• Hon ska arbeta. = She will/is going to work.
• Vi måste gå. = We must go.

So after vill, just use the infinitive directly.

Yes. Vill is present tense, and the whole sentence is in the present.

Swedish often uses the present tense for something happening now or planned for today:

• Läkaren vill undersöka foten idag.

That can mean the doctor wants to examine the foot today, either now or later today, depending on context.

So idag adds the time reference, while vill stays in the present tense.