kan jag få
/kanː jɑː(ɡ) foː/word by word
In Swedish, "can I have" is translated as kan jag få.
You use this phrase as a polite way to request an item or to ask for permission to receive something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "can I get" rather than "can I have".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb få is used here to express both the request for an object and the request for permission.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanː jɑː(ɡ) foː/
Did you know?
- The Swedish word få is a doublet of fånga, meaning 'to catch'. Historically, the act of receiving something was linguistically linked to the act of capturing it.
- In Swedish, adding the word tack at the end of kan jag få is almost mandatory for politeness, as the phrase alone can sometimes sound too demanding.
- Depending on the region of Sweden, the pronunciation of the 'g' in jag may be completely silent or slightly audible, but it never sounds like the 'g' in 'game'.
Examples in context
- Kan jag få en?Can I have one?This sentence is useful for asking for a single item using kan jag få.Tatoeba #4320119 by richke, translation #2470629 by Hybrid
- Kan jag få tre?Can I have three?This sentence is useful for asking for a specific quantity using kan jag få.Tatoeba #5908938 by herrsilen, translation #3327404 by CK
- Kan jag få skjuts?Can I have a ride?This sentence is useful for requesting a ride using kan jag få.Tatoeba #4347962 by richke, translation #3327435 by CK
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are at a cafe.
- EmmaKan jag få en kaffe, tack?Can I have a coffee, please?
- LucasSjälvklart, vill du ha mjölk i?Of course, do you want milk in it?
- EmmaJa, kan jag få lite mjölk också?Yes, can I have some milk too?
- LucasAbsolut, jag hämtar det nu.Absolutely, I'll get that now.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (kan, jag, få) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries få, jag, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
