Breakdown of Hans svar gjorde tulltjänstemannen misstänksam.
göra
to do, to make
svaret
the answer
hans
his
tulltjänstemannen
the customs officer
misstänksam
suspicious
Questions & Answers about Hans svar gjorde tulltjänstemannen misstänksam.
Why use misstänksam here instead of misstänkt?
Misstänksam describes someone who is actively feeling suspicious or distrustful. Misstänkt, on the other hand, is the past participle used as an adjective meaning suspected (being the target of suspicion). Since the customs officer is the one feeling doubt, we use misstänksam.
Can we break down the long compound word tulltjänstemannen?
Yes, it combines tull (customs) and tjänsteman (official or white-collar worker). The word tjänsteman itself is built from tjänst (service or duty), a linking -e-, and man (man). Here it is in the definite singular form, ending in -mannen.
How would the sentence change if there were multiple customs officers?
The plural definite of tulltjänsteman is tulltjänstemännen (the customs officers). Because adjectives must agree with the noun they describe in number, the adjective would also take the plural form: Hans svar gjorde tulltjänstemännen misstänksamma.
Does Swedish use göra (to do/make) the exact same way English uses make for emotions?
Yes, using göra to express causing an emotional reaction or state is very common and directly mirrors English. You use it in phrases like göra någon glad (to make someone happy) and, as seen here, göra någon misstänksam (to make someone suspicious).
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