i första hand

First and Foremost

Level 4

'i första hand' means 'primarily' or 'first and foremost' and is used to state the main priority.

How It Works

The expression i första hand is a common and useful adverbial phrase in Swedish that translates to 'first and foremost', 'primarily', or 'in the first instance'. It's used to set priorities and clarify what is most important.

Function and Placement:
As an adverbial, it can be placed in different positions within a sentence, which can slightly alter the emphasis.

1. At the beginning of a sentence:
When placed at the beginning, it triggers the verb-second (V2) rule, meaning the verb comes directly after it.

  • I första hand ska vi hjälpa de skadade. (First and foremost, we shall help the injured.)

2. In the middle of a sentence (mid-position):
It can also be placed after the finite verb in a main clause, which is a very common position.

  • Tjänsten riktar sig i första hand till studenter. (The service is aimed primarily at students.)

3. At the end of a sentence:
Placing it at the end can add emphasis to the priority.

  • Vi behöver en lösning som är praktisk, i första hand. (We need a solution that is practical, first and foremost.)

Comparison with similar phrases:

  • framför allt ('above all'): Very similar, but often emphasizes the single most important factor, while 'i första hand' can imply a sequence of priorities (first this, then that).
  • i synnerhet ('in particular', 'especially'): Used to single out a specific example from a group, rather than setting a general priority.

Meaning and Usage Contrast
I första hand går jag upp, sedan borstar jag tänderna. / Först går jag upp, sedan borstar jag tänderna.
For a simple chronological routine, först is the natural choice. I första hand would instead present getting up as a priority, which is a different meaning rather than a syntactically impossible sentence.

Examples (5)

  1. I första hand måste vi lösa det här problemet.

    First and foremost, we have to solve this problem.

    Word by Word: In first hand must we solve this here problem.

    Here, the phrase starts the sentence, triggering V2 inversion where the verb 'måste' comes second.

  2. Kursen är i första hand avsedd för nybörjare.

    The course is primarily intended for beginners.

    Word by Word: The course is in first hand intended for beginners.

  3. Vi söker i första hand en person som är ansvarsfull.

    We are primarily looking for a person who is responsible.

    Word by Word: We look for in first hand a person who is responsible.

  4. Polisen utreder i första hand om det var ett tekniskt fel.

    The police are primarily investigating whether it was a technical fault.

    Word by Word: The police investigate in first hand if it was a technical fault.

  5. I första hand ska du vila, i andra hand kan du prova med lättare träning.

    Your first option should be to rest; as a second option, you can try light exercise.

    Word by Word: In first hand shall you rest, in second hand can you try with lighter training.

    I första hand and i andra hand rank the options by priority. They do not by themselves require a sequence of first resting and then exercising.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving the subject before the finite verb after an initial priority phrase.

    I första hand vi söker en lärare.
    I första hand söker vi en lärare.

    The entire phrase i första hand occupies the first constituent position. Finite söker follows, before subject vi.

How It Connects

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

i första handLevel 4First and Foremost

Learn This First

The phrase 'i första hand' is a fixed idiomatic expression meaning 'primarily' or 'first and foremost'. To understand it, you need to be familiar with the preposition 'i' and the ordinal number 'första' (first). While it functions as a single unit, knowing how Swedish adjectives and prepositions work provides the necessary grammatical foundation.

Words in This Pattern

iförstahand