Basic question words (vad, vem, var)

Open Questions in Swedish

To ask for specific information, use a question word like vad (what), vem (who), or var (where).

Swedish is a "verb-second" language. When you start a question with a question word, the verb must come immediately after it. The pattern is always: Question Word + Verb + Subject.

Vad (What)

What are you washing?
Vad tvättar du?
What is the woman baking?
Vad bakar kvinnan?

Vem (Who)

Who is the man?
Vem är mannen?
Who is fetching the bag?
Vem hämtar väskan?

Var (Where)

Where is the park?
Var är parken?
Where is the girl cycling?
Var cyklar flickan?

Adding More Details

If your question includes extra information—such as a direct object or a location like där (there)—these details simply follow the subject at the end of the sentence.

Where is the boy playing football?
Var spelar pojken fotboll?
What does the girl find there?
Vad hittar flickan där?