Breakdown of Jag förstår inte varför du funderar på problemet.
jag
I
du
you (singular)
inte
not
på
on / at / for (wait for) / in (believe in)
förstå
to understand
problemet
the problem
varför
why
fundera
to think
Questions & Answers about Jag förstår inte varför du funderar på problemet.
Why is the word order varför du funderar instead of varför funderar du?
This sentence contains an indirect question. When a direct question like varför funderar du? (why are you thinking?) is placed inside a larger sentence, it becomes a subordinate clause. In Swedish subordinate clauses, the subject (du) must always come before the verb (funderar).
How would I say that I do not understand why you are NOT thinking about the problem?
You would say Jag förstår inte varför du inte funderar på problemet. In the main clause, the first inte comes after the verb (förstår inte). However, in the indirect question, which is a subordinate clause, the second inte must come before the verb (du inte funderar).
What is the difference between funderar på and tänker på?
The verb funderar på means to ponder, consider, or think deeply about something, often to figure it out. The verb tänker på is more general and just means having something in your thoughts. Since the sentence is about a problem, funderar på perfectly describes actively analyzing it.
Why does the word for problem end in -et here?
The word for problem is an ett-word: ett problem. To make it definite (meaning the problem in singular), you add -et to the end, creating problemet. If it ended in -en to make problemen, it would be the plural definite form meaning the problems.
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