Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| titta | /²tɪta/ |
| se | /seː/ |
| kika | /ˈɕiːˌka/ |
| kolla | /ˈkɔˌla/ |
Swedish uses different verbs to distinguish between the intentional act of directing your eyes toward something and the passive ability to perceive something. Titta is used when you are intentionally looking, watching or observing. When you want to say you are looking at something, you typically use titta på followed by the object. The word titta can also function as an interjection to attract someone's attention. The verb se refers to the ability to see or the result of looking. If you want to say someone or something looks a certain way (appearance), you use se combined with the particle ut.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the action: titta is the intentional action of directing your attention to something, whereas se refers to the ability to perceive or the state of appearing. For a quick, brief or cautious movement, such as peeking through a keyhole, use kika.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Kolla is an informal, colloquial way to say 'look' or 'check,' often used in phrases like 'look here.' In contrast, a much more formal or poetic way to express the idea of looking is skåda.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone or something 'looks' a certain way (e.g., 'he looks happy'), use the construction ser … ut with the verb se.
How do you pronounce it?
/²tɪta/
Did you know?
- The informal verb kolla is actually a shortened version of the much more formal word kollationera, which means to collate or compare documents.
Examples in context
- Du ser dum ut.You look stupid.This example shows how to use se to describe how someone appears.Tatoeba #1960764 by herrsilen, translation #1644 by CK
- Ser jag OK ut?Do I look OK?This example shows how to use se to ask about one's own appearance.Tatoeba #1996653 by herrsilen, translation #1886118 by CK
- De ser bra ut.They look good.This example shows how to use se to describe how others appear.Tatoeba #2243413 by Tximist, translation #2243227 by CK
- 142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maja and Erik are walking in a park.
- MajaTitta, Erik! En stor hund!Look, Erik! A big dog!
- ErikJa, jag ser den.Yes, I see it.
- MajaTitta hur den springer.Look how it runs.
- ErikDen är verkligen snabb.It is really fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “look” translations and entries titta, se, kika, kolla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kika, kolla, se, titta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
