varför
Why
Varför means 'why' and is used to ask for the reason something is happening or is the way it is.
How It Works
The word varför is fundamental for asking questions in Swedish. It directly translates to 'why'.
In a normal direct question, varför comes first and the finite verb follows. With an auxiliary, the auxiliary is finite: Varför har du kommit? The main verb kommit stays later in the clause. This is an example of the verb-second (V2) rule.
Structure: Varför + Verb + Subject + ...?
For example:
- Varför läser du svenska? (Why do you study Swedish?)
The answer to a 'varför' question often begins with därför att, which means 'because'.
Embedded Questions and AnswersJag vet inte varför han inte äter keeps subject han and sentence adverb inte before finite äter. This is different from the direct question Varför äter han inte? A reason can be introduced by därför att; a purpose can be introduced by för att: För att lära mig mer (To learn more). A short question such as Varför inte? does not need an expressed verb.
Examples (4)
- Varför är du glad?
Why are you happy?
Word by Word: Why are you happy?
- Varför studerar du svenska?
Why do you study Swedish?
Word by Word: Why study you Swedish?
- Varför äter han inte?
Why isn't he eating?
Word by Word: Why eats he not?
- Varför kom du sent?
Why did you arrive late?
Word by Word: Why came you late?
The answer to this question would typically start with 'Därför att...' (Because...).
Common Mistakes
Using embedded-question order in a normal direct question.
Varför du bor här?Varför bor du här?For the normal direct question, say
Varför bor du här?The subject-before-verb order is correct when embedded:Jag undrar varför du bor här. English why-questions also normally place an auxiliary before the subject, so this is not simply English word order.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'varför' (why) effectively, you need to understand basic Swedish word order, especially how the verb moves to the second position in a question. You also need a basic grasp of verb conjugation to form complete thoughts.
Related Patterns
- Verb-second rule
The finite verb follows initial
Level 3varförin a normal direct question. Embedded questions have subject-before-verb order instead. - närWhen
'När' (when) is another essential question word. Learning it alongside 'varför' helps build a complete set of basic question-asking tools.
Level 1 - varWhere
Compare direct questions
Level 1Var bor du?andVarför bor du här?, and embedded questionsvar du borandvarför du bor här. - hurHow
Compare direct
Level 1Hur mår du?and embeddedJag undrar hur du mår. The clause type determines the word order. - vemWho
'Vem' (who) is another basic question word. Unlike other question words, when 'vem' is the subject, the word order is simpler (Vem kommer? - Who is coming?).
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice varför in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Swedish lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
