Breakdown of Såvitt vi förstår bryr sig kocken inte om utgångsdatumet.
vi
we
inte
not
förstå
to understand
kocken
the chef
bry sig om
to care about
såvitt
as far as
utgångsdatumet
the expiration date
Questions & Answers about Såvitt vi förstår bryr sig kocken inte om utgångsdatumet.
How does the word såvitt affect the word order of the main clause here?
Såvitt (as far as) introduces the subordinate clause Såvitt vi förstår. Because this entire clause takes up the first position in the sentence, the main clause must start with the verb to satisfy the V2 (verb-second) rule. That is why we see the verb bryr right after the subordinate clause, before the subject kocken.
Why is the phrase bry sig om split up so much in this sentence?
Bry sig om (to care about) is a reflexive particle verb. Because of the V2 rule, the verb bryr is placed first in the main clause. The reflexive pronoun sig is unstressed and often slips in right after the verb, before the noun subject kocken. The negation inte follows the subject, and the particle om comes right before its object, utgångsdatumet.
Could I say så långt som vi förstår instead of såvitt vi förstår?
No, så långt som is used for physical distances (like as far as the eye can see). For abstract expressions of limit, such as what you know, understand, or can remember, you must use såvitt.
Why is there an s in the middle of utgångsdatumet?
Utgångsdatumet (the expiration date) is a compound word made from utgång (exit or expiration) and datum (date). The extra -s- is a joining letter commonly added in Swedish when the first noun in a compound ends in certain consonants.
Learn Såvitt vi förstår bryr sig kocken inte om utgångsdatumet and more in Swedish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free