Breakdown of Man bör skydda vänskapen.
man
one, you (people in general)
skydda
to protect
böra
should, ought to
vänskapen
the friendship
Questions & Answers about Man bör skydda vänskapen.
Why is it vänskapen and not vänskapet?
Nouns ending in -skap that describe abstract ideas, states, or relationships, like vänskap (friendship) or kunskap (knowledge), are almost always en-words. That is why it takes the -en ending here. A common exception to remember is when -skap forms a word for a physical group of people, like ett sällskap (a company or party), which is an ett-word.
How does the suffix -skap work in this word?
It combines en vän (a friend) with the suffix -skap (which is equivalent to the English suffix -ship or -hood). Just like in English, adding -skap turns a noun about a person into an abstract concept about the relationship or state of being.
Why is there no att (to) before skydda?
The word bör (ought to or should) is a modal verb. In Swedish, modal verbs are followed directly by the infinitive form of the main verb without using att.
What is the difference between using bör and ska in this sentence?
The verb bör means ought to or should, and it is used for strong advice, moral recommendations, or what is generally right. If you used ska (shall or will), the sentence would sound much more like a strict command or a definite future action rather than a piece of general wisdom.
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