rörande

Regarding/touching

Level 4

A formal preposition used to mean 'regarding' or 'concerning', often found in written or official contexts.

How It Works

This entry focuses on rörande as a somewhat formal preposition meaning 'regarding' or 'concerning'. It is derived from the present participle of the verb röra (to touch, to move).

As a Preposition:
In this use, it introduces the matter under discussion. It introduces a topic or subject matter, similar to 'about' or 'concerning' in English.

  • Formality: It is somewhat formal and is most often seen in written Swedish, such as emails, reports, legal documents, and official announcements.
  • Usage: It connects a noun or a clause to the subject being discussed. For example, 'en fråga rörande...' (a question regarding...).
  • Alternatives: In everyday speech, a neutral alternative is the simpler preposition om. Other formal alternatives include angående and beträffande.

As a Participle (Adjective):
Because it is a present participle, 'rörande' can also be used as an adjective meaning 'touching' or 'moving' in an emotional sense.

  • Example: En rörande film (A touching movie).

It's important to distinguish between these two uses based on the context.

The relevant sense of the verb röra is also “concern”: Frågan rör ekonomin. Do not infer the preposition’s meaning solely from physical touching or moving.

Examples (5)

  1. Vi hade ett möte rörande budgeten.

    We had a meeting regarding the budget.

    Word by Word: We had a meeting regarding the budget.

  2. Jag har en fråga rörande din ansökan.

    I have a question regarding your application.

    Word by Word: I have a question regarding your application.

  3. Beslut rörande projektet kommer att meddelas nästa vecka.

    Decisions regarding the project will be announced next week.

    Word by Word: Decision(s) regarding the project will be announced next week.

    Beslut has the same indefinite singular and plural form. Here the English translation chooses the plural reading, decisions.

  4. All information rörande händelsen finns på vår hemsida.

    All information concerning the incident is available on our website.

    Word by Word: All information regarding the incident exists on our website.

  5. Det var en rörande historia om vänskap.

    It was a touching story about friendship.

    Word by Word: It was a touching story about friendship.

    Here, 'rörande' is used as an adjective (a present participle) meaning 'touching' or 'emotionally moving', not 'regarding'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using an infinitive instead of the adjective meaning touching.

    Det var en röra historia.
    Det var en rörande historia.

    Rörande is the adjective meaning touching in this noun phrase. Röra is an infinitive (and a separate noun with other meanings). Using the preposition rörande in conversation is not itself ungrammatical; its somewhat formal register may or may not fit.

  • Confusing the preposition 'rörande' with the verb 'röra' (to touch).

    Rörande inte min dator!
    Rör inte min dator!

    'Rörande' means 'regarding' or 'touching' (adjective). The command form (imperative) of the verb 'röra' is 'rör'. Use 'Rör inte...' to say 'Don't touch...'.

How It Connects

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

rörandeLevel 4Regarding/touching

Learn This First

To understand 'rörande', a learner needs to recognize it as a present participle form used as a formal preposition. It is primarily used in legal, administrative, or highly formal written Swedish to mean 'regarding' or 'concerning' a specific subject.

Words in This Pattern

rörande