förutom
In Swedish, the phrase "but" (meaning "except") is translated using förutom or utom.
Meaning: except (conj)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| förutom | |
| utom | /²ʉ̟ːtɔm/ |
These forms are used to indicate an exception to a statement. A common idiomatic expression is allt utom, which means "anything but" and is often used to emphasize that something is definitely not a certain way.
Which one should you use?
The forms förutom and utom are interchangeable when used to mean "except". However, they differ from the Swedish word men, which is the standard word for "but" used to express contrast between two clauses.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse utom (meaning "except") with men (the conjunction meaning "but"). Use men when you want to connect two contrasting ideas, and use utom when you are stating an exception.
Did you know?
- The word utom is used to describe the outer boundaries of a place, such as in the phrase utomhus for 'outdoors'.
- The word utom is a combination of two spatial prepositions, ut meaning 'out' and 'om' meaning 'around'.
- Swedish uses the same root in utom as it does in utomvärlden, which means 'the outside world'.
Examples in context
- Alla log utom Tom.Everybody smiled but Tom.This sentence shows how to use utom to indicate an exception to a group.Tatoeba #10690927 by Pineapple, translation #10625681 by CK
- Jag är allt utom en lögnare.I am anything but a liar.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of utom in the phrase "anything but".Tatoeba #12403594 by morbrorper, translation #257182 by DJ_Saidez
- Min engelska är allt utom bra.My English is anything but good.This sentence illustrates how utom is used in the phrase "allt utom" to emphasize that something is not a certain way.Tatoeba #2042044 by herrsilen, translation #250470 by CM
- Jag förstår vad du menar, men jag kan inte hjälpa dig.I understand what you mean, but I can't help you.
- Vi har lagt mycket tid och ansträngning i projektet, dock har vi inte sett några framsteg ännu.We have invested a lot of time and effort into the project, but we haven't seen any progress yet.
- Jag vet att det är sent, men vi kan ändå gå ut och äta.I know it's late, but we can still go out to eat.
- Jag har självklart mycket att göra idag. Fast, jag kan försöka hjälpa dig.I have a lot to do today, though I can try to help you.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing what to eat at a party.
- LucasÄter alla pizza förutom Emma?Is everyone eating pizza except Emma?
- EmmaNej, hon äter inget förutom sallad.No, she is eating nothing except salad.
- LucasVarför äter hon inte pizza?Why is she not eating pizza?
- EmmaHon är allergisk mot ost.She is allergic to cheese.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “but” translations and entries förutom, utom, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries förutom, utom, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
