Questions & Answers about Försök att inte bekymra dig för framtiden.
Why is bekymra dig a reflexive verb here?
Many Swedish verbs that describe experiencing a feeling or an emotional shift are reflexive. The verb bekymra by itself means to trouble or concern someone else. By adding the reflexive pronoun dig, the action turns inward, meaning you are the one experiencing the concern or worry.
Why does inte come before the verb in att inte bekymra dig?
In a Swedish infinitive phrase (a phrase starting with the infinitive marker att), sentence adverbs like inte always go before the verb. This contrasts with a normal main clause, where inte comes after the verb (for example: Du bekymrar dig inte).
We translate this as worrying "about" the future. Why use för instead of om?
Prepositions rarely translate one-to-one. While om often means "about", verbs of emotion in Swedish frequently take för. Both bekymra sig and its common synonym oroa sig (to worry) pair with för to indicate what is causing the worry.
What is the difference between using bekymra sig and oroa sig in this context?
Both mean "to worry" and are highly interchangeable. However, oroa sig leans slightly more toward emotional anxiety or fear, whereas bekymra sig often suggests a practical concern, trouble, or taking on a burden.