Questions & Answers about Han mjuknade när han såg henne.
How does the verb mjuknade relate to the adjective for soft?
It is built directly from the adjective mjuk (soft). By adding the suffix -na, it becomes an inchoative verb describing a change of state, meaning to become soft. The -de at the end shows it is in the past tense.
Could I use mjukna to say he softened something else, like the butter?
No. Verbs ending in -na are almost always intransitive, which means they describe a change happening to the subject itself and cannot take a direct object. To say he softened an object, you would need to say he made it soft, such as han gjorde smöret mjukt.
Is mjukna mostly used for physical things, or is it figurative here?
It is used both literally, like food softening, and figuratively, exactly as it is in English. In this sentence, it means his attitude, facial expression, or feelings became gentler when he saw her.
If I started the sentence with the när clause, how would the word order change?
You would have to apply the V2 (verb-second) rule. If you start with the subordinate clause när han såg henne, that whole clause counts as the first position. The verb of the main clause must come immediately next, making it När han såg henne mjuknade han.
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