Question 1

Why is the adjective trötta in the plural form here instead of just trött?

Accepted Answer

In resultative reflexive constructions, the adjective describes the final state of the subject. Because the subject De (they) is plural, the adjective must agree with it and take the plural ending -a, becoming trötta.

Question 2

Can I use this "verb + reflexive pronoun + adjective" structure with any action?

Accepted Answer

You can use it with many verbs to show the physical or mental result of an ongoing action. Common examples include han dricker sig full (he drinks himself drunk) or vi sjunger oss hesa (we sing ourselves hoarse). Just remember the reflexive pronoun and the adjective must always match the subject.

Question 3

Is matkoma a slang word or standard Swedish?

Accepted Answer

It is a highly common, everyday Swedish word! It is a direct compound of mat (food) and koma (coma). In this sentence, it takes the definite en-word suffix -n because the sentence talks about the specific food coma that inevitably follows a heavy meal.

Question 4

Why do we use sig instead of dem (them) here?

Accepted Answer

If you used the object pronoun dem, the sentence would mean that they are feeding other people until those other people get tired! You must use the reflexive pronoun sig for third-person subjects (he, she, it, they) to show that they are acting upon themselves.

De äter sig trötta innan matkoman kommer.

Breakdown of De äter sig trötta innan matkoman kommer.

Questions & Answers about De äter sig trötta innan matkoman kommer.

Learn De äter sig trötta innan matkoman kommer and more in Swedish