vid

At/by (Proximity)

Level 1

Use 'vid' to say something is by or next to something else.

How It Works

'Vid' is a fundamental preposition of place in Swedish. Its primary function is to indicate that something is near or next to something else.

Common uses:

  • Proximity to a place: To say something is located by or near a landmark, building, or natural feature.
    Ex: Huset ligger vid havet. (The house is by the sea.)

  • At a specific point: To indicate a meeting point or a position at the edge of something.
    Ex: Vi ses vid ingången. (See you at the entrance.)

  • Alongside an object: To describe an action happening next to an object, like a table or computer.
    Ex: Han sitter vid skrivbordet. (He is sitting at the desk.)

While 'vid' is similar to 'bredvid' (next to), 'vid' is often more general and can mean 'in the vicinity of', whereas 'bredvid' usually implies being right beside something.

This entry focuses on spatial vid. The word also occurs in time expressions such as vid femtiden (around five), and in established combinations such as vid liv (alive). These uses cannot be translated mechanically as “next to”.

Examples (5)

  1. Jag bor vid parken.

    I live by the park.

    Word by Word: I live by the-park.

  2. Vi kan träffas vid stationen.

    We can meet at the station.

    Word by Word: We can meet at the-station.

  3. Barnen leker vid stranden.

    The children are playing by the beach.

    Word by Word: The-children play by the-beach.

  4. Hon sitter vid datorn hela dagen.

    She sits at the computer all day.

    Word by Word: She sits at the-computer whole the-day.

  5. Ställ väskan vid dörren.

    Put the bag by the door.

    Word by Word: Place the-bag by the-door.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'i' (in) instead of 'vid' (by).

    Huset ligger i sjön.
    Huset ligger vid sjön.

    'i' means 'in' or 'inside'. This mistake would mean the house is literally inside the lake. Use 'vid' to show that something is next to or beside something else.

  • Using 'vid' instead of 'hos' for people's places.

    Jag är vid min kompis.
    Jag är hos min kompis.

    For visiting your friend’s home, use hos min kompis. Vid can describe being physically beside a person; it is not a replacement for the home/visit meaning of hos.

How It Connects

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

vidLevel 1At/by (Proximity)

Learn This First

To use 'vid' effectively, you need to understand how to form definite nouns, as this preposition is most commonly used to describe proximity to specific, known objects or locations.

Words in This Pattern

vid