The Suffix "-åt" for Trajectories
To describe a general direction or trajectory rather than a precise destination, Swedish uses the suffix -åt. This works much like the English suffix "-ward".
These directional adverbs are useful when discussing office ergonomics and adjusting furniture.
Forward and Backward
Use framåt for moving or leaning forward, and bakåt for backward.
| You should not lean forward since it is bad for your posture. | Du bör inte luta dig framåt eftersom det är dåligt för kroppshållningen. |
| It is possible to adjust the backrest backward. | Det går att justera ryggstödet bakåt. |
Upward and Downward
For vertical movements, use uppåt (upward) and nedåt (downward).
| You must push the seat upward and then downward. | Du måste trycka sitsen uppåt och sedan nedåt. |
| Do not look downwards all the time. Sit up straight instead. | Titta inte nedåt hela tiden. Sträck på dig istället. |
This Way and That Way
You can attach -åt to the destination words hit (here) and dit (there) to indicate a general direction.
- hitåt: this way (in this general direction)
- ditåt: that way (in that general direction)
While hit and dit imply a precise endpoint, adding -åt softens the meaning to a general trajectory.
| You can pull the screen downward and a little this way. | Du kan dra skärmen nedåt och lite hitåt. |
| You should have adjusted the seat this way, not that way. | Du borde ha justerat sitsen hitåt, inte ditåt. |
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