Breakdown of De gav sig ut på en lång utflykt.
en
a, an (common)
de
they
lång
long / tall
utflykten
the excursion
Questions & Answers about De gav sig ut på en lång utflykt.
Why is the reflexive pronoun sig used here?
In Swedish, the verb ge means "give," but when combined with the reflexive pronoun sig and the particle ut, it forms the phrasal verb ge sig ut. This is a fixed expression meaning "to set out," "to embark," or "to head out."
Could I use resa instead of utflykt in this sentence?
You could, but it changes the meaning slightly. An utflykt is specifically an excursion, a picnic, or a day trip, usually for pleasure and relatively short in duration. A resa is a broader term for a journey or travel, often implying a longer distance or more time away from home.
Why do we use the preposition på before en lång utflykt?
In Swedish, you use the preposition på for activities, events, or ongoing states rather than physical destinations. Just like you go på fest (to a party) or på semester (on vacation), you go på utflykt (on an excursion).
Does ge sig mean anything on its own without ut?
Yes, ge sig by itself is a common expression meaning "to give up" or "to surrender." Adding directional particles changes the meaning entirely, such as ge sig iväg (to leave or set off) or ge sig på (to attack or tackle a task).