i
The Swedish preposition for 'in' (meaning contained by) is i.
The preposition i is used to indicate that something is contained within something else, such as i huset (in the house) for common gender nouns.
Meaning: contained by (prep)
Which one should you use?
While i is a preposition used with a noun to show containment, the adverb inne is used to describe the state of being indoors or inside, such as in the sentence Vi är inne (We are inside). Additionally, inne can function as an adjective meaning 'in fashion' or 'popular'. The word in is an adverb meaning 'moving to the interior'.
Related words
Did you know?
- To say someone is 'in' a certain mood, Swedish often uses i just like English, but for being 'in' a state of mind like 'in love', it uses kär without a preposition.
- The word inne can be used to describe a sport played indoors, as in innebandy (floorball), which literally translates to 'in-bandy'.
- The word inne is used in the phrase inne i, which adds emphasis to the fact that something is truly deep inside a space.
Examples in context
- Är du i fara?Are you in danger?This example shows how to use i to ask if someone is in danger.Tatoeba #4317333 by richke, translation #2648576 by CK
- Du är i vägen.You are in my way.This example uses i to state that someone is in the way.Tatoeba #1960605 by herrsilen, translation #1296 by CK
- Vi är i knipa.We're in trouble.This example demonstrates using i to say one is in trouble.Tatoeba #2022975 by herrsilen, translation #1557287 by Spamster
- Jag är i biblioteket.I am in the library.
- Han bor i Stockholm.He lives in Stockholm.
- Jag är inne nu.I am inside now.
- Kom in! Vi är inne.Come in! We are indoors.
- 1735 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Karl are looking for a lost key in the living room.
- EmmaÄr nyckeln i lådan?Is the key in the box?
- KarlNej, den är inte i lådan.No, it is not in the box.
- EmmaKanske ligger den i fickan?Maybe it is in the pocket?
- KarlJa, den ligger i min ficka!Yes, it is in my pocket!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “in” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
