Breakdown of De monotona dagarna är tråkiga, men vi pusslar på för att vi ska bli klara.
vara
to be
vi
we
ska
will
dagen
the day
men
but
för
for, to
tråkig
boring
de
the (plural, before adjective)
bli
to become
att
that
klar
ready / finished (doing something)
pussla
to do a jigsaw puzzle
på
on (continuative aspectual particle)
monoton
monotonous
Questions & Answers about De monotona dagarna är tråkiga, men vi pusslar på för att vi ska bli klara.
How does på change the meaning of the verb pusslar in this sentence?
In Swedish, adding the particle på right after certain verbs creates a sense of continuous, ongoing, or relentless action. While vi pusslar just means we are doing a puzzle, vi pusslar på means we keep at it, plugging away despite the monotonous days.
Doesn't för att usually mean because? Why does it mean so that here?
You are right that för att is the standard way to say because. However, when it is followed by a subclause containing a modal verb like ska (will/shall) or kan (can), it almost always expresses purpose, meaning in order to or so that. They are keeping at the puzzle in order to get finished.
Why is it bli klara instead of just bli klar?
Even though it acts as a subject complement here, the adjective klar (finished or ready) still needs to agree with the subject it describes. Since the subject is the plural vi (we), the adjective takes the plural -a ending to become klara.
Why do we need the word De in front of monotona dagarna if the noun already has the definite -na ending?
This is a classic example of the Swedish double definite rule. When a definite noun (dagarna) is described by an adjective, you must also add the independent definite article before it. For plural nouns, that article is De, paired with the -a ending on the adjective monotona.
Learn De monotona dagarna är tråkiga, men vi pusslar på för att vi ska bli klara 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