What Does “Det finns” Mean?
“Det finns” literally translates to “there is” or “there are” in English. It is used to indicate the existence or presence of something in a particular location or context. Unlike in English, Swedish does not change the form of “det finns” based on whether the subject is singular or plural; the phrase remains the same.
When to Use “Det finns”
Use “det finns” whenever you want to state that something exists or is present somewhere. This could refer to objects, people, places, or even abstract concepts. Here are some typical situations:
- Describing the availability of something: Det finns kaffe i köket. (There is coffee in the kitchen.)
- Talking about the presence of people or animals: Det finns många fåglar i parken. (There are many birds in the park.)
- Discussing abstract ideas or opportunities: Det finns en chans att vinna. (There is a chance to win.)
How to Form Sentences with “Det finns”
The basic structure is simple:
Det finns + [noun/subject] + [location/description]
Examples:
- Det finns en bok på bordet. (There is a book on the table.)
- Det finns två apotek i staden. (There are two pharmacies in the city.)
Notice that “det finns” does not change, even if the subject is plural.
Negating “Det finns”
To say that something does not exist or is not present, simply add “inte” after “det finns”:
- Det finns inte någon mjölk kvar. (There is no milk left.)
- Det finns inte några lediga platser. (There are no available seats.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing “finns” with “är”:
“Är” means “is/are” and is used for describing characteristics or states, not existence. For example, “Boken är på bordet” (The book is on the table) describes the location, while “Det finns en bok på bordet” (There is a book on the table) states the existence of a book on the table. - Changing “det finns” for plural subjects:
Remember, “det finns” does not change for singular or plural. Do not use “de finns” or “det finnas.” - Word order:
Keep “det finns” at the beginning, followed by what exists, then the location or description.
Useful Variations and Related Phrases
As you progress, you may encounter variations or related phrases:
- Fanns – Past tense:
“Det fanns en gång…” (There once was…) - Finns det…? – Asking questions:
“Finns det wifi här?” (Is there wifi here?)
Practice Makes Perfect
To become comfortable with “det finns,” try forming your own sentences about your surroundings, what’s available in your town, or what you see in a room. Practicing with real-life examples will help reinforce your understanding. For more tips and interactive exercises, check out other resources on Talkpal’s AI language learning blog.
Summary
Mastering “det finns” is a key step toward fluency in Swedish. Remember, use it to state the existence or presence of something, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. Practice regularly, watch out for common mistakes, and you’ll soon find this phrase slipping naturally into your Swedish conversations. Happy learning from the team at Talkpal!
