-er
Second Conjugation Verbs
Many second-conjugation verbs form the present with stem + -er, as in läsa → läser. Learn exceptions and past forms alongside this common pattern.
How It Works
The second conjugation, often introduced to learners as -er verbs, is one of the largest groups of regular verbs in Swedish. The examples below follow the common stem + -er pattern. Some second-conjugation verbs have a present form without that ending.
Rule: Verb Stem + -er
To find the verb stem, you simply remove the final -a from the infinitive form.
- Infinitive: läsa (to read) → Stem: läs- → Present Tense: läser (read/reads)
- Infinitive: köpa (to buy) → Stem: köp- → Present Tense: köper (buy/buys)
- Infinitive: stänga (to close) → Stem: stäng- → Present Tense: stänger (close/closes)
A key feature of Swedish verb conjugation is that the verb form is the same for all pronouns in the present tense.
- Jag läser (I read)
- Du läser (You read)
- Han/Hon läser (He/She reads)
- Vi läser (We read)
- Ni läser (You (plural/formal) read)
- De läser (They read)
This group contrasts with -ar verbs, which form the other major regular verb category.
Limits of the Label
Not every second-conjugation present ends in -er: höra → hör, köra → kör, and tåla → tål have no added present ending. Conversely, strong verbs such as skriva → skriver also end in -er, but have a different past-tense pattern (skrev). The present ending is a useful learning pattern, not a complete test of conjugation membership. For the regular second-conjugation examples, compare läser–läste–läst and stänger–stängde–stängt.
Examples (5)
- Jag läser en bok.
I am reading a book.
Word by Word: I read a book.
'läsa' (to read) is an -er verb. The stem is 'läs-', and the present tense is 'läser'.
- Vad köper du?
What are you buying?
Word by Word: What buy you?
'köpa' (to buy) becomes 'köper' in the present tense.
- De stänger fönstret.
They are closing the window.
Word by Word: They close the window.
The verb 'stänga' (to close) follows the -er pattern.
- Han tycker om kaffe.
He likes coffee.
Word by Word: He likes coffee.
Tyckahas presenttycker. The stressed particle expressiontycka ommeans “like”; it does not mean simply “think about”. - Vi behöver hjälp.
We need help.
Word by Word: We need help.
'behöva' (to need) is conjugated to 'behöver' in the present tense.
Common Mistakes
Adding -er to the full infinitive form instead of the stem.
Jag läsaer en bok.Jag läser en bok.Remember to remove the '-a' from the infinitive ('läsa') to get the stem ('läs-') before adding the '-er' ending.
Using the -ar ending for an -er verb.
Hon köpar en ny bil.Hon köper en ny bil.Verbs like 'köpa' belong to the second conjugation and take the '-er' ending, not '-ar'. You'll learn to recognize the groups with practice.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn second conjugation verbs, you need a foundation in how Swedish verbs generally function and the tenses they use. You also need to understand vowel and consonant sounds to correctly choose between the -de and -te past tense endings.
- Basic verb conjugation
Understanding that verbs change form based on tense is fundamental before learning specific conjugation groups like -er verbs.
Foundations - Tense concepts
Since -er verbs involve specific endings for present, past, and supine, the learner must understand what these tenses represent.
Foundations - Short vs long vowels
The distinction between subgroup 2a (-de) and 2b (-te) is based on whether the stem ends in a voiced or unvoiced consonant, which is closely tied to Swedish vowel and consonant length rules.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- -arFirst Conjugation Verbs
-ar verbs (first conjugation) are the other major group of regular verbs. It's important to distinguish them from -er verbs to use the correct ending.
Level 1 - -rThird Conjugation Verbs
-r verbs (third conjugation) are another group of regular verbs, typically with stems ending in a vowel. They are simpler as they just add -r, contrasting with the -er ending.
Level 1 - Irregular verbs
Present
Level 1-eralone does not identify a verb's full conjugation: strong verbs such asskriva–skriver–skrevalso use it. Learn past and supine forms with the present. - attTo (Infinitive Marker)
Level 1Attmarks an infinitive in constructions that call for it, but is not part of the verb stem and is not always required. Inläsa, remove final-ato getläs-, then add-er.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice -er in Bubblegum
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