Breakdown of Hunden vars svans är lång börjar uppvisningen.
vara
to be
hunden
the dog
börja
to start
lång
long / tall
Questions & Answers about Hunden vars svans är lång börjar uppvisningen.
Does the word vars change if the noun it belongs to is an ett-word or plural?
No, vars (whose) is invariable. Unlike many other Swedish adjectives and pronouns, it always stays exactly the same whether it refers to an en-word, an ett-word, a singular noun, or a plural noun.
Why is it just svans (tail) instead of the definite form svansen (the tail) after vars?
In Swedish, a noun that comes directly after a possessive word like vars (whose) must be in the indefinite form. This is exactly the same rule you use for other possessives, like saying min hund (my dog) instead of min hunden.
Doesn't the verb börjar break the V2 (verb-second) rule here by being so late in the sentence?
The V2 rule is actually working perfectly here! The whole phrase Hunden vars svans är lång acts as one single, long subject block. Since that entire descriptive block is in position one, the verb börjar (is starting) correctly takes position two in the main sentence.
What type of performance is an uppvisning?
An uppvisning is a display, exhibition, or performance that usually involves showing off a physical skill or training, making it the perfect word for a dog show or a gymnastics routine. It comes from the verb phrase visa upp (to display or show off).