Vi vill understryka att citatet är helt sant.
We want to emphasize that the quote is completely true.
Breakdown of Vi vill understryka att citatet är helt sant.
vara
to be
vi
we
vilja
to want to
att
that
sann
true
helt
completely
understryka
to emphasize
citatet
the quote (quotation from text/speech)
Questions & Answers about Vi vill understryka att citatet är helt sant.
Why is the verb written as a single word understryka instead of the separated phrase stryka under?
When a particle verb is used in a figurative or abstract sense—like "emphasizing" a point rather than physically drawing a line—Swedish typically merges the particle and the verb into a single inseparable compound. Because we are talking about emphasizing truth, we use the abstract compound understryka.
If I wanted to say "we want to underline the quote" (meaning literally drawing a pen line under the text), how would the sentence change?
You would use the separated particle verb instead: Vi vill stryka under citatet. When separated, stryka is the verb and under is the particle, carrying the literal, physical meaning of "stroking" a pen "under" the words.
Are understryka and betona interchangeable in this sentence?
Yes, they mean the same thing in this context. understryka translates best to "underscore" (meaning to emphasize), while betona means "stress" or "emphasize". Both are natural choices for this sentence.
Why do both helt and sant end in a "t" here?
They end in "t" for two different grammatical reasons. The word citatet is a neuter (ett) noun, so the adjective sann (true) must take a "t" to agree with it, becoming sant. However, helt is an adverb here meaning "completely" (modifying the adjective sant). Adverbs formed from adjectives always take a "t" ending, regardless of the noun's gender.
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