Breakdown of Som förebild måste han hjälpa oss.
han
he
hjälpa
to help
måste
to have to, must
oss
us
som
as (in a role or function)
förebilden
the role model
Questions & Answers about Som förebild måste han hjälpa oss.
How does som work in this sentence compared to its usual meaning of 'that' or 'which'?
In this context, som translates to 'as' when talking about someone's role or function. It shows identity, meaning he actually is a role model. You use the exact same structure for jobs, like Han arbetar som lärare (He works as a teacher).
The English translation says 'as a role model.' Why isn't it som en förebild?
In Swedish, when you state a person's profession, role, or nationality, you usually drop the indefinite article (en or ett). Therefore, 'as a role model' simply becomes som förebild.
Why is the word order måste han instead of han måste?
How is the noun förebild constructed?
It is a compound made of före (before or ahead) and bild (picture or image). Literally meaning an 'ahead-picture', it perfectly describes someone you look up to and try to imitate—a role model.
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