Breakdown of Barnet sitter i fåtöljen och tittar på stearinljuset.
barnet
the child
och
and
titta på
to look at
i
in
fåtöljen
the armchair
sitta
to sit
stearinljuset
the candle
Questions & Answers about Barnet sitter i fåtöljen och tittar på stearinljuset.
Why do we use sitter here instead of sätter?
This ties into our current lesson on verb pairs! The verb sitta (present tense sitter) is intransitive, meaning it describes a state of resting and doesn't take a direct object. Its partner sätta (present tense sätter) is transitive, meaning to actively place or seat something else. Since the child is simply resting in the chair, we use sitter.
Why does the sentence use i fåtöljen (in the armchair) rather than på fåtöljen (on the armchair)?
Swedish uses prepositions for furniture very similarly to English. You sit i (in) soft, enveloping furniture like an armchair (en fåtölj) or a sofa (en soffa). Conversely, you sit på (on) harder, flatter furniture like a regular chair (en stol).
Why use the long compound word stearinljuset instead of just ljuset?
The word ett ljus translates to both 'a candle' and 'a light' (like an electric lamp or daylight). By attaching stearin (the type of wax candles are traditionally made from), the word stearinljus removes any ambiguity, making it perfectly clear that the child is looking at a physical wax candle rather than a lightbulb.
Could I drop the word på and just write tittar stearinljuset?
No, you must include the preposition på. The verb titta cannot connect directly to an object. Just as you say 'looks at' in English, Swedish requires tittar på when directing your gaze toward something. If you drop it, the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect.
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