Breakdown of Jag är inte skrockfull, men jag undviker svarta katter.
jag
I
vara
to be
katten
the cat
inte
not
svart
black
men
but
undvika
to avoid
skrockfull
superstitious
Questions & Answers about Jag är inte skrockfull, men jag undviker svarta katter.
What is the root of the word skrockfull?
It comes from the noun skrock, which means 'superstition' or 'old wives tales,' combined with the suffix -full (full of). So skrockfull literally translates to 'full of superstition.'
Could I use the phrasal verb viker undan instead of undviker here?
Not quite in this context. While both share the same roots and mean 'avoid,' undviker is a transitive verb used for intentionally staying away from things, people, or situations in a broader sense. Viker undan is more physical, usually meaning to literally step aside or physically dodge something coming right at you.
Why is the word order ...men jag undviker... and not ...men undviker jag...?
Men (but) is a coordinating conjunction. It links two separate main clauses but doesn't actually occupy the first position of the second clause. Because the second clause starts with the subject jag, the verb undviker naturally takes the second position to satisfy the V2 (verb-second) rule.
Does the prefix und- in undviker appear in other Swedish verbs?
Yes, the prefix und- (or undan-) generally gives a sense of 'away,' 'escaping,' or 'removal.' You will also see it in useful upper-intermediate verbs like undkommer (escape) and undanhåller (withhold/keep away).
Learn Jag är inte skrockfull, men jag undviker svarta katter 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