Relative clauses as subjects (som)

The Relative Pronoun "som"

In English, we use "who", "which", or "that" to link sentences and add information about a noun. In Swedish, you just use one word: som.

who / which / that (relative pronoun)
som

When som acts as the subject of the relative clause, it comes right after the noun it describes, followed immediately by the verb. It never changes form, whether describing a thing, a single person, or multiple people.

I am watching a series that is very exciting.
Jag tittar på en serie som är mycket spännande.
The actor who plays the king is famous.
Skådespelaren som spelar kungen är känd.
The famous actors who are coming tonight are sick.
De kända skådespelarna som kommer ikväll är sjuka.
Who is the woman who is directing the film?
Vem är kvinnan som regisserar filmen?

You can also use som alongside phrasal verbs like handla om (to be about). The word order remains exactly what you would expect: subject (som) followed by the verb.

to be about
handla om
The film is about a character who is angry.
Filmen handlar om en karaktär som är arg.
The film is about two characters who love each other.
Filmen handlar om två karaktärer som älskar varandra.