Irregular past participles (-dd, -en, -et, -na)

Group 4 Verbs (Strong Verbs)

Group 4 verbs often change their vowels. Form their past participles by adding these endings to the stem:

  • -en for en-words
  • -et for ett-words
  • -na for plural and definite nouns
Infinitiveen-wordett-wordPlural / Definite
skriva (to write)skrivenskrivetskrivna
binda (to bind)bundenbundetbundna
utge (to publish)utgivenutgivetutgivna
Most manuscripts in the archive are written in English.
De flesta handskrifter i arkivet är skrivna på engelska.
No published book is bound in this way.
Ingen utgiven bok är bunden på det här sättet.

Group 3 Verbs (Short Verbs)

Group 3 verbs have short infinitives ending in a stressed vowel, like klä (to cover) and sy (to sew). Add these endings directly to the infinitive:

  • -dd for en-words
  • -tt for ett-words
  • -dda for plural and definite nouns
Infinitiveen-wordett-wordPlural / Definite
klä (to cover)kläddklättklädda
sy (to sew)syddsyttsydda
This chest is covered in leather.
Den här kistan är klädd i skinn.
The bag of leather is sewn by hand.
Väskan av skinn är sydd för hand.

Adjective Agreement in Action

Past participles function like adjectives and must agree with the noun's gender and number, whether following a verb or modifying a noun directly.

For ett-words, use the -et (Group 4) or -tt (Group 3) endings:

The lock to the chest is broken.
Låset till kistan är brutet.

For plural nouns or definite nouns, use the -na (Group 4) or -dda (Group 3) endings:

Many folders in the archive are torn.
Många mappar i arkivet är rivna.
The torn letter is lying in the dust.
Det rivna brevet ligger i dammet.
These old clothes are sewn from silk.
De här gamla kläderna är sydda av silke.