Direction and location adverbs (upp / uppe)

Direction vs. Location

In Swedish, certain adverbs change their form depending on whether they describe movement toward a destination (direction) or a static position (location).

Usually, the static location form simply adds an -e to the end of the direction word. You will use the direction form with verbs of motion (like placing, moving, or bringing), and the location form with verbs of state (like being, standing, or hanging).

Upp and Uppe (Up)

When you move or set something up, use the directional upp. Once it is fully placed and stationary, use the locational uppe.

The mannequin is set up in the shop window.
Skyltdockan ställs upp i skyltfönstret.
When the mannequin is up, the angle is adjusted.
När skyltdockan är uppe justeras vinkeln.

Ner and Nere (Down)

Similarly, when moving an object downward, use ner. When it is resting at the bottom, use nere.

Can we move the podium down a little?
Kan vi flytta ner podiet lite?
Now the podium stands down on the floor in the background.
Nu står podiet nere på golvet i bakgrunden.

Fram and Framme (Forward / At the front)

The adverb fram describes moving forward or bringing something out into the open. Its static form, framme, means the object is positioned at the front or on display. (Note: framme is also commonly used to mean that someone or something has "arrived" at a destination).

We have to bring out the red dress to the shop window.
Vi måste ta fram den röda klänningen till skyltfönstret.
How nice! Now the dress is hanging at the front.
Vad snyggt! Nu hänger klänningen framme.

Bort and Borta (Away)

When you move something away, use bort. When the object is out of the way, missing, or gone entirely, it is borta.

The old lamp is moved away to change the effect.
Den gamla lampan flyttas bort för att ändra effekten.
Is the lamp gone now?
Är lampan borta nu?

Combining with "där"

You can combine the word där (there) with static location adverbs to point out exactly where an object is resting. For example, combining it with borta creates där borta (over there), and combining it with framme gives you där framme (up front).

Do we have to center everything, or can the bag stand over there?
Måste vi centrera allt, eller kan väskan stå där borta?
If the bag is placed at the front, it is more visible.
Om väskan placeras där framme är den mer synlig.