Breakdown of Jo, han är tvärtom generös, och dessutom rik.
vara
to be
han
he
och
and
rik
rich
generös
generous
jo
yes (in response to a negative)
tvärtom
on the contrary
dessutom
furthermore
Questions & Answers about Jo, han är tvärtom generös, och dessutom rik.
Why is jo used here instead of ja for "yes"?
In Swedish, jo is a special word for "yes" that you only use to contradict a negative statement or question. Because this sentence starts with jo, we know it's a reply to someone saying something negative like "He isn't generous, right?" If the previous statement didn't have a negative word in it, you would just reply with ja.
What does tvärtom mean, and why is it placed after the verb?
Tvärtom means "on the contrary" or "the exact opposite." As an adverb that modifies the whole sentence, it normally goes in the middle of the clause, right after the first verb (är). It emphasizes that his personality is the complete opposite of whatever stingy trait was just mentioned.
What does dessutom mean?
Dessutom means "besides," "furthermore," or "in addition." It is a very common and useful linking word for adding an extra piece of supporting information. Here, it adds the fact that he is rich on top of him being generous.
Why does the English translation say "he is rich" when the Swedish just says och dessutom rik?
Swedish often drops the subject and verb in the second half of a sentence if they are exactly the same as in the first half. The full thought is och dessutom är han rik, but since han är was already established, leaving those words out makes the sentence shorter and flow much better.
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