Breakdown of Du bör inte bekymra dig för din gamla pappa.
du
you (singular)
inte
not
gammal
old
för
for, to
din
your (singular; din/ditt/dina)
pappan
the father
böra
should, ought to
bekymra sig
to worry (be concerned)
Questions & Answers about Du bör inte bekymra dig för din gamla pappa.
Why is the verb bekymra reflexive (bekymra dig) in this sentence?
In Swedish, many verbs that express an emotional shift or a state of mind are reflexive. The non-reflexive verb att bekymra means 'to trouble' or 'to cause worry to' someone else. By adding the reflexive pronoun dig, it literally means 'to trouble yourself,' which is how Swedish expresses 'to worry'.
Could I use the preposition om instead of för here since they can both mean 'about'?
No, the verb bekymra sig specifically pairs with the preposition för when stating what you are worrying about. You might be thinking of bry sig om (to care about), which does use om, but mixing them up is a common trap!
Why does the adjective gamla end in an '-a' when pappa is a singular en-word?
Because it follows the possessive pronoun din. In Swedish, possessive pronouns make the noun phrase definite, which forces the adjective into its definite form (usually ending in '-a'). Notice that the noun itself (pappa) stays in its indefinite form after a possessive.
Is bör the same as skulle when translating 'should'?
They are similar but have different nuances. bör (from the infinitive böra) means 'ought to' and implies a strong, often objective recommendation or advice. skulle is the past tense of ska and is often used for hypothetical situations or softer, more personal advice.
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