Breakdown of De inreder rummet och sätter sig på soffan.
de
they
och
and
rummet
the room
på
on / at / for (wait for) / in (believe in)
soffan
the sofa
sätta sig
to sit down
inreda
to decorate
Questions & Answers about De inreder rummet och sätter sig på soffan.
Why do we use sätter sig here instead of sitter?
This is the exact difference between the transitive and intransitive verb pair for sitting! Sitta is intransitive and describes the static state of already being seated. Sätta is a transitive verb meaning to put or place. To describe the physical movement of sitting down, you must use it reflexively as sätta sig (literally to place oneself).
How do the past tenses of sätta and sitta differ?
They belong to different verb groups, which can be tricky. Sätta belongs to group 2 and conjugates as sätta, sätter, satte, har satt. The intransitive sitta is a strong verb (group 4) and conjugates as sitta, sitter, satt, har suttit. Be careful not to mix up the past tense of sitta (satt) with the supine form of sätta (also satt).
What is the verb inreder made up of?
It is formed from the prefix in (in or inside) and the verb reda (to prepare, sort, or arrange). Together, inreda means to furnish, decorate, or fit out the interior of a room or building.
Could I say i soffan instead of på soffan?
Yes, in fact, i soffan is extremely common in Swedish because you conceptually sink into a comfortable couch. However, på soffan is also correct and is often naturally used with verbs of motion like sätta sig, where the focus is on placing yourself onto the surface of the furniture.
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