Questions & Answers about Jag frågade henne vad stjärntecknet betyder.
Why is the word order vad stjärntecknet betyder and not vad betyder stjärntecknet?
This is an indirect question. In Swedish, indirect questions act as subordinate clauses. In a subordinate clause, the subject (stjärntecknet) must come before the verb (betyder). This is different from a direct question, where the verb would come first (Vad betyder stjärntecknet?).
Do I need to use som after vad here?
No, you do not add som here. You only use vad som when "what" is the subject of the embedded clause (for example: Jag undrar vad som händer - I wonder what is happening). In our sentence, stjärntecknet is the subject, so vad is just the object and stands alone.
How is the word stjärntecknet formed, and what gender is it?
It is an ett word, because its root word is ett tecken (a sign / the sign is tecknet). It is a compound word made from stjärna (star) and tecken. Notice how the "a" in stjärna is dropped to link the words smoothly as stjärntecken.
Why is frågade in the past tense but betyder in the present tense?