fast/fastän

Although

Level 2

Use fast or fastän to say 'although' or 'even though'. They introduce a clause that contrasts with the main idea. Example: Jag gick ut fast det regnade. (I went out although it was raining.)

How It Works

fast and fastän are conjunctions used to express contrast, similar to 'although' or 'even though' in English. They overlap in the concessive although use. Fast also has a separate coordinating use meaning but, so they are not interchangeable in every construction. Both are very common in spoken and written Swedish.

These words introduce a subordinate clause (bisats) that presents a fact that makes the main clause seem surprising or unexpected.

Sentence Structure
There are two main ways to structure a sentence with fast/fastän:

1. Main Clause + Subordinate Clause
This is the most straightforward structure. The subordinate clause follows the main clause.

  • Jag gick på promenad fast det regnade. (I went for a walk although it was raining.)

2. Subordinate Clause + Main Clause
You can also start the sentence with the fast/fastän clause for emphasis. When you do this, the main clause must begin with the verb. This is an example of the verb-second (V2) rule.

  • Fastän det regnade, gick jag på promenad. (Although it was raining, I went for a walk.)

Remember that within the subordinate clause itself, the word order follows the BIFF rule, where sentence adverbs (like inte) come before the verb.

  • Han klarade provet fastän han inte hade pluggat. (He passed the test even though he hadn't studied.)

Two Uses Of Fast
Jag är trött, fast jag kan inte sova means I am tired, but I cannot sleep. This coordinating use is valid; it is not a BIFF error. Fastän can also introduce main-clause order in informal speech, though fast is the more usual coordinating form. Use the full construction to distinguish these from subordinate concessive clauses.

Examples (4)

  1. Han köpte bilen fast den var dyr.

    He bought the car although it was expensive.

    Word by Word: He bought the car although it was expensive.

  2. Fastän hon var trött, gick hon på festen.

    Although she was tired, she went to the party.

    Word by Word: Although she was tired, went she to the party.

    Notice the V2 inversion in the main clause: the verb 'gick' comes before the subject 'hon' because the sentence starts with a subordinate clause.

  3. Jag äter glass fastän jag inte borde.

    I'm eating ice cream even though I shouldn't.

    Word by Word: I eat ice cream even though I not should.

    This shows the BIFF rule in action. The adverb 'inte' comes before the verb 'borde' in the subordinate clause.

  4. Fast det var kallt ute, hade han bara en t-shirt.

    Although it was cold outside, he only wore a t-shirt.

    Word by Word: Although it was cold outside, had he only a t-shirt.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting V2 inversion in the main clause.

    Fastän det regnade, jag gick ut.
    Fastän det regnade, gick jag ut.

    When a subordinate clause (like one starting with 'fastän') begins a sentence, it fills the first position. Therefore, the main clause must start with its verb to maintain the V2 rule.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

fast/fastänLevel 2Although

Learn This First

To use 'fast' or 'fastän' correctly, you need to understand how Swedish subordinate clauses are structured, particularly how the word order differs from main clauses. It is also helpful to be familiar with simpler ways to express contrast, like using 'men'.

Words in This Pattern

fastfastänfastän