Breakdown of Såvitt vi kan bedöma är hanteringen av köttet tyvärr mycket dålig.
vara
to be
vi
we
mycket
much / very
kunna
to be able to, can
köttet
the meat
av
of, by / from (cause)
dålig
bad
tyvärr
unfortunately
bedöma
to assess
såvitt
as far as
hanteringen
the handling
Questions & Answers about Såvitt vi kan bedöma är hanteringen av köttet tyvärr mycket dålig.
Can I translate "as far as" literally and use så långt som instead of såvitt here?
No, såvitt is specifically used for abstract or figurative limits, like "to the extent of our knowledge or ability" (e.g., såvitt jag vet, såvitt vi kan bedöma). If you use så långt som, it strongly implies physical distance, such as driving "as far as" the border.
Why does the main part of the sentence start with the verb är?
This is the V2 (verb-second) rule in action. The entire subordinate clause (Såvitt vi kan bedöma) acts as the first block of information in the sentence. Therefore, the main clause must immediately follow with the verb (är), pushing its subject (hanteringen av köttet) to the other side.
What dictates the placement of the adverb tyvärr right after köttet?
In a main clause with inverted word order (where the verb comes before the subject), a sentence adverb like tyvärr goes immediately after the subject. Here, the complete subject is the entire noun phrase hanteringen av köttet, so tyvärr naturally follows it.
What is the difference between bedöma and döma when translating "judge"?
Bedöma means to assess, evaluate, or estimate the quality of something. Döma is usually reserved for formal judging, such as a judge passing a sentence in a courtroom or a referee in a sports match. Since the speakers are evaluating how meat is handled, bedöma is the correct verb.
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