How it works
Vara means “to be”. Its present form is är with every subject. English changes between “am”, “is” and “are”; Swedish uses är for all persons and numbers. Keep är in statements about who someone is, how they are or where they are. Vara is the infinitive, var is a past form and varit is used with an auxiliary in compound forms. In this lesson, the statements are about the present.
jag är · du är · vi är
| Swedish | Function |
|---|---|
| vara | infinitive |
| är | present, all persons |
| var | past |
| varit | supine, used with an auxiliary |
| jag är hemma | a statement of present location |
| du är | singular addressee |
| vi är | plural including the speaker |
See it in a sentence
Jag är hemma.
I am at home.
Är means “am” after Jag in this statement about present location.
Vi är i skolan.
We are at school.
Vi uses the same är as Jag, although English changes from “am” to “are”.
Put it into practice
Try it yourself
5 questions, with feedback after every answer. No account needed.
