Breakdown of Utställningen tycks sakna harmoni.
utställningen
the exhibition
sakna
to miss (feel the absence of)
tyckas
to seem
harmonin
the harmony
Questions & Answers about Utställningen tycks sakna harmoni.
Why is there no att before sakna in this sentence?
The verb tyckas (to seem or appear) functions as a semi-modal verb in Swedish. This means it is followed directly by a bare infinitive, so we drop the infinitive marker att before sakna. You will see this same behavior with the verb verka.
Is tycks a passive verb?
Formally, it looks like the s-passive of tycka (to think). However, in this usage it is a deponent verb, meaning it is passive in form but has the active meaning of to seem or to appear. It does not mean the exhibition is being thought about.
How do I know whether sakna means to miss or to lack?
Context is key. When used with abstract qualities or inanimate objects, like an exhibition lacking harmony, sakna means to lack or to be without. When referring to people or places you have an emotional attachment to, it means to miss, as in Jag saknar dig.
How is the word utställningen formed?
It comes from the phrasal verb ställa ut (to exhibit or display). By adding the suffix -ning, it becomes the en-word noun utställning (exhibition). The final -en makes it definite, meaning the exhibition.