Language/Swedish/Vocabulary/Att-tycka-Att-tänka-Att-tro

How to use specific verbs  (att tänka / att tycka / att tro) in Swedish

How to use of the 3 verbs: "att tycka", "att tänka" & "att tro"

att tänka -> 3 options (mind/think about/future)

Option 1: thinking in your mind

Jag tänker alltid för mycket, när jag vill somna. / I think always too much, as soon as I will go to sleep.

Option 2: thinking about something/someone -> att tänka + “på”

Jag tänker alltid på min sambo. / I think all the time about my boyfriend.

But note for option 1 + 2: you are doing this on your mind only, the thoughts go round on your mind, you can, but do not necessarily state this to someone.

Option 3: uncertain plan for the future

Jag tänker resa till Sverige nästa år. / I think I might be going to travel to Sweden.

I have the wish and the uncertain plan to travel to Sweden next year. But I have done nothing yet to realize this wish/plan (no tickets etc.).

But note the difference: If you would be sure and have all planned already (for example you bought the tickets), this would be a certain plan for the future, which is expressed with ska (auxiliary verb) + verb in the infinite (here “resa”):

Jag ska resa till Sverige nästa måndag. / I am (definitly) going to travel to Sweden next Monday.

att tycka -> 2 options (opinion/like)

Option 1: You use "att tycka" + “att”, every time you state an opinion

Jag tycker att lära mig svenska är lätt. / I think that learning/to learn Swedish is easy.

But note the difference to “att tänka”: I think this (in my head) and (!) I say so and state my opinion to someone.

Another help to decide if you should use 1. Att tänka or 2. att tycka is that most times comes an “att=that” after “tycka”. There is no “att=that” after the use of “tänka”

Jag tycker att = I think that (and the opinion follows)

If you use a verb after "tycka att" this verb is always in the infinitive (here for example: lära mig).

Option 2: You use “att tycka om”, if you like someone/something

Jag tycker om mina katter. Jag tycker om att dansa. Jag tycker om min nya soffa.

I like my cats. I like to dance. I like my new couch. 

att tro -> believe

“Att tro” expresses what you believe, but you cannot be certain about it, you do not know.

Jag tror/tror inte på Gud. / I believe/believe not in God. (You have no proof, that he/she/it exists or not.)

Jag tror att det regnar/kommer att regna idag. / I believe/think it will rain today. (It does not rain yet, so you cannot be certain.)

Jag tror och tycker att det var en intressant svensk lektion. Tänka en stund på den…! / I believe and think that this was an interesting Swedish lecture. Think a while about it…!

Efter det ha kul att använda ”att tänka/att tycka/att tro!” / After this have fun using ”att tänka/att tycka/att tro!”

Author

https://polyglotclub.com/member/Ljus

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