Bedeutung
Asking for someone's identity.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Swedes are generally private. Asking 'Vem är det?' before opening the door is standard etiquette to maintain the sanctity of the home. 'Vem är det?' is the name of a famous biographical dictionary of notable Swedes, similar to 'Who's Who'. In Swedish-speaking parts of Finland, the usage is identical, though the intonation may differ slightly. On apps like BankID (used for everything in Sweden), you might see identification prompts that implicitly answer the question 'Vem är det?'.
The Silent T
Don't pronounce the 't' in 'det'. It should sound like 'de'.
Don't be too direct
Avoid 'Vem är du?' unless you want to sound a bit aggressive or very curious.
Bedeutung
Asking for someone's identity.
The Silent T
Don't pronounce the 't' in 'det'. It should sound like 'de'.
Don't be too direct
Avoid 'Vem är du?' unless you want to sound a bit aggressive or very curious.
The 'Som' Trick
Add 'som' + a verb to be more specific, like 'Vem är det som sjunger?'
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to ask 'Who is it?'
___ är det?
'Vem' is the Swedish word for 'Who'.
Which sentence is the correct way to ask who is at the door?
Someone knocks. You say:
Swedish questions follow the Verb-Second (V2) rule.
Complete the dialogue.
A: (Knock knock) B: Vem är det? A: ___ är jag, Johan.
The standard response is 'Det är jag' (It is I/me).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a stranger in your garden.
You use 'Vem' for people.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben___ är det?
'Vem' is the Swedish word for 'Who'.
Someone knocks. You say:
Swedish questions follow the Verb-Second (V2) rule.
A: (Knock knock) B: Vem är det? A: ___ är jag, Johan.
The standard response is 'Det är jag' (It is I/me).
You see a stranger in your garden.
You use 'Vem' for people.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! Even if you hear a group of people, 'Vem är det?' is the standard way to ask. You can also say 'Vilka är det?' if you want to be plural-specific.
No, it is the standard and polite way to identify a visitor in Sweden.
You say 'Det är [Your Name]' or just 'Det är jag' (It's me).
'Vem är det?' is neutral. 'Vem är den där?' is like 'Who is that one over there?' and is more pointing-specific.
In Swedish, 'det' is used as a formal subject for unknown entities, regardless of their actual gender.
Yes, if you don't recognize the caller, 'Vem är det?' is perfectly fine.
It's not slang, just the standard spoken contraction of the phrase.
Change the verb to past tense: 'Vem var det?'.
Mostly in movies or by older people. It sounds a bit like 'Who goes there?'.
Usually, you'd use 'Vad är det?' for an animal unless you are being playful and treating the pet like a person.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Vem där?
similarWho's there?
Vad är det?
contrastWhat is it?
Vem är du?
specialized formWho are you?
Vem ringer?
specialized formWho is calling?
Vems är det?
builds onWhose is it?
