Questions & Answers about Hon ropar på barnen från balkongen.
Why is it ropar på and not just ropar?
Because ropa på is a very common expression meaning to call to someone or to call for someone’s attention.
- Hon ropar på barnen = She is calling to the children
- Hon ropar by itself is more general: She shouts / she calls out
So in this sentence, på is not just an optional extra word. It helps show that the calling is directed at the children.
What does på mean here? Does it literally mean on?
No, not literally. In this sentence, på is part of the expression ropa på.
Swedish often uses prepositions in ways that do not match English exactly. Here:
- ropa på någon = call to someone / call for someone
- not shout on someone
So it is best to learn ropa på as a unit.
Why is it barnen and not barn?