B1 Swedish GrammarLocation vs. Direction Prepositions
Master Swedish prepositions that change based on location (where?) versus direction (where to?). Learn the distinction between i/på for static location and till for movement, and understand how Swedish expresses spatial relationships.
1Location with 'I' and 'På'
Swedish uses 'i' (in) and 'på' (on/at) for static location answering 'var?' (where?). Use 'i' for enclosed spaces (countries, cities, rooms). Use 'på' for surfaces, institutions, and activities. The choice is often idiomatic and must be learned.
I vs. På for Location
| Context | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Countries/Cities | i | i Sverige, i Stockholm |
| Rooms/Buildings | i | i köket, i huset |
| Surfaces | på | på bordet, på golvet |
| Institutions | på | på sjukhuset, på banken |
Examples
Jag bor i Stockholm.
I live in Stockholm.
location with i
Boken ligger på bordet.
The book is on the table.
surface with på
Hon arbetar på sjukhuset.
She works at the hospital.
institution with på
Vi är i köket nu.
We are in the kitchen now.
enclosed space with i
2Direction with 'Till'
Swedish uses 'till' for direction and movement, answering 'vart?' (where to?). Unlike location prepositions, 'till' indicates motion toward a destination. Some expressions use 'i' or 'på' for direction too, especially with verbs like 'gå'.
Direction Prepositions
| Destination | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Countries/Cities | till | till Sverige, till Paris |
| People | till | till doktorn, till mamma |
| Events | på | på fest, på bio |
| Indoor places | in i | in i huset |
Examples
Vi åker till Spanien i sommar.
We're going to Spain this summer.
direction with till
Jag ska till tandläkaren.
I'm going to the dentist.
person as destination
Ska du gå på bio ikväll?
Are you going to the cinema tonight?
event with på
Barnen sprang in i huset.
The children ran into the house.
movement inside
3Contrasting Location and Direction
The same place can take different prepositions based on static vs. dynamic meaning. Compare: 'i skolan' (at school - location) vs. 'till skolan' (to school - direction). This distinction is crucial for clear Swedish communication.
Location vs. Direction
| Location (var?) | Direction (vart?) | English |
|---|---|---|
| i skolan | till skolan | at/to school |
| på jobbet | till jobbet | at/to work |
| i affären | till affären | at/to the store |
| på stationen | till stationen | at/to the station |
Examples
Var är du? - Jag är i skolan.
Where are you? - I'm at school.
location question and answer
Vart går du? - Jag går till skolan.
Where are you going? - I'm going to school.
direction question and answer
Hon sitter på kontoret.
She's sitting at the office.
static location
Hon cyklar till kontoret.
She cycles to the office.
movement toward
4Idiomatic Preposition Usage
Many Swedish preposition choices are idiomatic. 'På' is used with activities (på semester, på möte), islands (på Gotland), and certain fixed expressions. Learning these patterns helps sound natural in Swedish.
Idiomatic Expressions
| Swedish | Literal | English |
|---|---|---|
| på semester | on vacation | on vacation |
| på landet | on the country | in the countryside |
| i tid | in time | on time |
| på väg | on way | on the way |
Examples
Vi är på semester i två veckor.
We're on vacation for two weeks.
activity with på
De bor på landet.
They live in the countryside.
idiomatic på
Kom i tid imorgon!
Come on time tomorrow!
fixed expression
Jag är på väg hem.
I'm on my way home.
idiomatic på väg