oss/er/dem

In Swedish, just like in English, pronouns change depending on their grammatical role. The subject pronouns include vi, ni, and de. Their object counterparts are oss, er, and dem. A subject need not perform an action, and an object can be perceived, liked, or referred to rather than physically affected.

Here's the breakdown:

• Vi (we) becomes oss (us)
• Ni (you, plural) becomes er (you, plural)
• De (they) becomes dem (them)

You use these object pronouns when they are the direct or indirect object of a verb, or when they follow a preposition (like 'till', 'från', 'med').

This is the plural equivalent of the singular object pronouns.

Note on pronunciation: De and dem are commonly pronounced dom in much of Sweden. Other pronunciations occur, notably in Finland Swedish. Edited writing normally distinguishes subject de from object dem even when a speaker pronounces both alike.

Role Rather Than Linear Position
An object can be placed first: Oss känner hon redan means she already knows us. It stays oss because its role is still object. In I dag kommer vi, vi is a subject even though it follows the verb.

Oss and er also occur reflexively: Vi tvättar oss, Ni tvättar er. The third-person reflexive counterpart is sig, as in De tvättar sig; dem ordinarily refers to someone else in that pattern. Ni/er can additionally be used as a formal singular address in some contexts, though ordinary contemporary address commonly uses du/dig.