Breakdown of Ni förstår varandras problem.
ni
you (plural, subject)
förstå
to understand
problemet
the problem
varandras
each other's
Questions & Answers about Ni förstår varandras problem.
How exactly is varandras formed?
It is made by taking the reciprocal pronoun varandra (each other) and adding the possessive -s at the end. It works exactly like the English 'each other's' to show that two or more people share or possess something belonging to the others.
Why is problem in the indefinite form here?
In Swedish, whenever a noun is preceded by a possessive word like varandras, the noun itself must be in the indefinite form. Even though we are talking about specific problems, you can never say varandras problemen—just like you say min bil (my car) instead of min bilen.
Is the word problem singular or plural in this sentence?
It is plural here, but it looks exactly like the singular form! Because problem is an ett word ending in a consonant (ett problem), its indefinite plural form does not change. Context (the fact that multiple people are involved) tells us it means 'problems'.
Can varandras be used with subjects other than ni?
Yes, absolutely. Because 'each other' inherently implies more than one person, varandras can be used with any plural subject. For example, you could also say Vi förstår varandras problem (We understand each other's problems) or De förstår varandras problem (They understand each other's problems).
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