A1 Swedish GrammarCommon Verbs (vara, ha)
Master the two most essential Swedish verbs: vara (to be) and ha (to have). These verbs appear in almost every conversation. Learn their present tense forms and common expressions. Unlike English, Swedish uses the same form for all persons.
1Vara (To Be) - Present Tense
Swedish 'vara' (to be) has one form in present tense: 'är' for all persons. Jag är, du är, hon är, vi är—always 'är'. This is simpler than English with am/is/are. The infinitive is 'vara', used after modal verbs.
Vara Conjugation
| Person | Swedish | English |
|---|---|---|
| jag | är | I am |
| du | är | you are |
| han/hon/den/det | är | he/she/it is |
| vi | är | we are |
| ni | är | you (pl) are |
| de | är | they are |
Examples
Jag är student.
I am a student.
No article before profession
Var är du från?
Where are you from?
Common question
Det är kallt idag.
It is cold today.
det är = it is
Vi är gifta.
We are married.
Same form for all
2Ha (To Have) - Present Tense
Swedish 'ha' (to have) also has one present tense form: 'har' for all persons. Jag har, du har, hon har—always 'har'. Used for possession, age, and many expressions. The infinitive is 'ha', used after modals.
Ha Conjugation
| Person | Swedish | English |
|---|---|---|
| jag | har | I have |
| du | har | you have |
| han/hon/den/det | har | he/she/it has |
| vi | har | we have |
| ni | har | you (pl) have |
| de | har | they have |
Examples
Jag har en bil.
I have a car.
Basic possession
Har du tid?
Do you have time?
No 'do' auxiliary
Hon har två barn.
She has two children.
har for all persons
Vi har det bra.
We are doing well.
Common expression
3Common Expressions with Vara and Ha
Many everyday expressions use vara and ha. 'Hur är det?' (How's it going?), 'Ha det bra!' (Take care!), 'Det är snällt' (That's kind). Swedish often uses 'vara' where English uses other verbs, and vice versa.
Essential Expressions
| Swedish | Literal | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hur är det? | How is it? | How's it going? |
| Ha det bra! | Have it good! | Take care! |
| Jag har rätt. | I have right. | I am right. |
| Var är toaletten? | Where is toilet? | Where's the bathroom? |
| Ha så kul! | Have so fun! | Have fun! |
Examples
Jag är hungrig.
I am hungry.
Swedish uses är
Hur gammal är du?
How old are you?
är for age
Jag har fel.
I am wrong.
har fel = have wrong
Har du roligt?
Are you having fun?
har roligt = have fun
4Vara and Ha with Other Constructions
Vara and ha combine with other words for complex meanings. 'Det finns' (there is/are) uses vara. 'Ha lust' (feel like), 'ha råd' (afford), 'vara med' (participate) are common. These verbs are building blocks for Swedish.
Useful Combinations
| Swedish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| det finns | there is/are | Det finns mat. |
| ha lust | feel like | Har du lust? |
| ha råd | afford | Jag har inte råd. |
| vara med | participate | Vill du vara med? |
| vara klar | be ready | Jag är klar. |
Examples
Det finns kaffe.
There is coffee.
det finns = there is
Jag har lust att fika.
I feel like having fika.
ha lust att = feel like
Är du klar?
Are you ready?
vara klar = be ready
Vi har inte råd med det.
We can't afford it.
ha råd med = afford