Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb 12 Min. Lesezeit

tillbringa

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps tillbringa in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung tillbringa in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use the word 'tillbringa' very often yourself, as it is a bit long and complex. Instead, you would use simple words like 'är' (am/is/are) or 'bor' (live/stay). For example, instead of saying 'I spend time in London', an A1 learner would say 'Jag är i London' (I am in London). However, you might see 'tillbringa' in very basic travel texts or hear it when someone asks you about your vacation. The most important thing to know at this level is that it means 'to be somewhere for a period of time'. You should also know that it is only for time, not for money. If you want to say you spend money, you use 'köper' (buy). Think of 'tillbringa' as a more advanced way to say 'to be' when you want to talk about how long you were somewhere.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

As an A2 learner, you are starting to talk more about your past and your hobbies. You will begin to encounter 'tillbringa' more frequently in textbooks and simple news articles. You should try to use it to describe your holidays or your weekends. For instance, 'Jag tillbringade helgen hos min mormor' (I spent the weekend at my grandmother's). At this level, you should focus on the basic past tense form 'tillbringade'. You should also learn the most common combination: 'tillbringa tid' (spend time). It is a useful word to make your Swedish sound a bit more natural and less like a direct translation from very simple English. Remember, at A2, your goal is to expand your vocabulary beyond the most basic verbs, and 'tillbringa' is a perfect candidate for that.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B1 level, 'tillbringa' becomes an essential part of your vocabulary. You are expected to be able to describe experiences, events, and dreams, and 'tillbringa' is the standard verb for doing this in relation to time. You should use it confidently in both the present and past tense. You should also be aware of the difference between 'tillbringa' (time) and 'spendera' (money), even though you will hear some Swedes mix them up. At this level, you should also start using it with more complex time objects, like 'hela min barndom' (my whole childhood) or 'större delen av dagen' (most of the day). You should also be comfortable using it in the 'V2' word order, where the verb comes second even if the sentence starts with a time expression like 'I sommar tillbringar jag...'.

For B2 learners, 'tillbringa' should be used with nuance. You should be able to distinguish it from similar verbs like 'vistas' (stay/reside) or 'fördriva' (pass/kill time). You should also be able to use it in more formal contexts, such as writing a report or a formal letter. At B2, you should also be familiar with the present participle 'tillbringad' in phrases like 'en väl tillbringad eftermiddag' (a well-spent afternoon), although this is somewhat literary. You should also notice how 'tillbringa' is used in different registers—for example, its use in legal contexts ('tillbringa tid i fängelse') versus leisure contexts ('tillbringa tid på stranden'). Your mastery of this word at B2 shows that you have moved beyond simple 'Swenglish' and are using Swedish verbs according to their specific traditional meanings.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, you are expected to have a near-native command of 'tillbringa'. This includes using it effortlessly in complex sentence structures and understanding its subtle connotations in literature and high-level journalism. You should be able to discuss the linguistic trend of 'spendera' replacing 'tillbringa' due to English influence and make a conscious choice about which one to use based on the context. You should also be able to use 'tillbringa' in abstract or metaphorical ways, such as 'tillbringa sina tankar på något' (though 'ägna' is more common here, 'tillbringa' can appear in specific stylistic choices). At C1, your use of the word should be completely natural, reflecting an understanding of Swedish rhythm and stress, with the emphasis correctly placed on the second syllable.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, 'tillbringa' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic flair. You understand its historical roots (derived from the German 'zubringen') and how it fits into the broader landscape of Swedish verbs of duration. You can use it in highly formal academic writing, legal documents, or poetic literature. You might use it to create specific atmospheres in your writing, perhaps contrasting the active 'tillbringa' with the more static 'vistas' to highlight a character's relationship with their environment. At this level, you are not just using the word correctly; you are using it to convey subtle shades of meaning that a lower-level learner might miss. You also serve as a model for correct usage, resisting the over-reliance on Anglicisms like using 'spendera' for time in formal settings.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

tillbringa in 30 Sekunden

Tillbringa means 'to spend time'. It is never used for money.
It is a regular Group 1 verb: tillbringa, tillbringar, tillbringade, tillbringat.
Commonly used for vacations, childhood, and daily habits.
Always requires a time object like 'tid', 'en vecka', or 'hela dagen'.

The Swedish verb tillbringa is a fundamental building block for anyone reaching the B1 level of Swedish proficiency. At its core, it translates to 'to spend' in English, but with a very specific constraint: it is exclusively used for time. Unlike English, where you can 'spend' both money and time with the same verb, Swedish maintains a strict distinction. If you are talking about the hours, days, or years you occupy a space or engage in an activity, tillbringa is your primary choice. It carries a sense of duration and presence, often implying that the person is physically located somewhere while the time passes.

Temporal Focus: This verb is used to describe the act of passing time in a specific location or under specific circumstances. For example, 'tillbringa tid med familjen' (spend time with family) or 'tillbringa natten på hotell' (spend the night at a hotel).
The Money Trap: Never use tillbringa for financial transactions. For money, Swedes use spendera or göra av med. Using tillbringa for money is a classic 'Swenglish' error that marks a learner as beginner-level.
Formality and Tone: While tillbringa is standard and versatile, it sounds slightly more structured than just saying 'vara' (to be). It suggests an intentionality or a defined period of time.

Vi brukar tillbringa somrarna i skärgården för att få lugn och ro.

Translation: We usually spend the summers in the archipelago to get some peace and quiet.

In daily life, you will encounter this word in travel brochures, news reports, and casual conversations about holidays. It is a 'transitive' verb, meaning it usually requires an object—the time being spent. You don't just 'tillbringa'; you 'tillbringa [en vecka/tid/semestern]'. Interestingly, while the English influence is pushing some younger Swedes to use 'spendera' for time as well, tillbringa remains the grammatically 'pure' and most accepted choice in formal writing and standardized tests like Tisus or Swedex.

Han tillbringade tre år i fängelse för ett brott han inte begått.

Translation: He spent three years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

The word's versatility is evident when looking at how it bridges the gap between leisure and duty. You can tillbringa a vacation in Spain just as easily as you can tillbringa a workday in meetings. It is the neutral vessel for the passage of time. When you use it, you are emphasizing the duration and the location of the subject during that duration. It is less about the 'action' taking place and more about the 'state' of being in a place for a certain interval.

Hur mycket tid tillbringar du framför datorn varje dag?

Translation: How much time do you spend in front of the computer every day?

Social Context: In social settings, asking 'Var tillbringade du din semester?' is a polite and common way to start a conversation about someone's travels.

De har tillbringat åtskilliga timmar med att planera bröllopet.

Translation: They have spent numerous hours planning the wedding.

Using tillbringa correctly requires understanding its position within a sentence and the types of objects it typically takes. As a transitive verb, it usually follows the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern. The object is almost always a measurement of time: en timme (an hour), hela dagen (the whole day), några år (a few years). Because it relates to duration, it is often accompanied by a prepositional phrase indicating location, such as i (in), på (at/on), or hos (with/at someone's house).

Jag vill tillbringa mer tid med mina barn.

Structure: Subject (Jag) + Auxiliary (vill) + Infinitive (tillbringa) + Time Object (mer tid) + Prepositional Phrase (med mina barn).

When using the past tense tillbringade, you are describing a completed duration. This is very common in storytelling or reporting past events. Note that the stress in tillbringa is on the second syllable 'bring', which is important for natural-sounding speech. The prefix 'till-' is unstressed, which is common in many Swedish verbs derived from German prefixes.

The Perfect Tense: Use 'har tillbringat' to talk about experiences that have happened up until now. 'Vi har tillbringat varje jul i fjällen' (We have spent every Christmas in the mountains).
With Adverbs: Adverbs like 'gärna' (gladly) or 'ofta' (often) usually follow the verb. 'Han tillbringar ofta sina kvällar på gymmet.'

Hon tillbringade hela eftermiddagen med att läsa en bok.

Note the use of 'med att' (with doing something) to describe the activity during the time.

One advanced way to use tillbringa is in the passive form, though it is less common. However, the present participle tillbringad can occasionally be seen in literary contexts (e.g., 'en väl tillbringad dag' - a well-spent day). For most learners, focusing on the active forms is sufficient. Another important aspect is the word order in questions. Since it is a verb, it moves to the first position in Yes/No questions or the second position after a question word.

Var ska ni tillbringa er smekmånad?

Translation: Where are you going to spend your honeymoon?

Finally, consider the objects used with tillbringa. It doesn't always have to be a specific amount of time like 'five hours'. It can be abstract time concepts like 'sin barndom' (one's childhood), 'sin ålderdom' (one's old age), or 'större delen av sitt liv' (the greater part of one's life). This makes the verb essential for biographical descriptions.

Konstnären tillbringade sina sista år i absolut ensamhet.

Translation: The artist spent his final years in absolute solitude.

In Sweden, tillbringa is a staple of everyday communication, though its frequency varies by context. You will hear it most often in environments where people discuss their plans, their history, or their habits. It is particularly prevalent in the travel industry. If you walk into a travel agency in Stockholm or browse a Swedish tourism website, you will see phrases like 'Tillbringa en oförglömlig vecka i solen' (Spend an unforgettable week in the sun). It sounds inviting and slightly more elegant than the more basic 'vara'.

News and Media: Journalists use this word constantly when reporting on public figures or legal cases. 'Ministern tillbringade helgen i krismöten' (The minister spent the weekend in crisis meetings). It provides a neutral, factual way to account for someone's time.
The Workplace: In office culture, you might hear it during performance reviews or planning sessions. 'Vi tillbringar för mycket tid på onödiga möten' (We spend too much time on unnecessary meetings). Here, it often carries a slightly critical tone regarding efficiency.

Många ungdomar tillbringar flera timmar om dagen på sociala medier.

A common sentence found in sociological reports or news articles about digital habits.

Another common place to hear tillbringa is in Swedish literature and film. Because Swedish culture places a high value on nature and the changing seasons, many stories involve characters 'tillbringar' time at a summer cottage (sommarstuga) or in the forest. This gives the word a certain nostalgic or 'mysig' (cozy) connotation when used in the context of leisure. Conversely, in the Swedish legal system, the term is used for serving time: 'att tillbringa tid i häkte' (to spend time in remand/custody).

Han tillbringar gärna sina lediga dagar i trädgården.

Translation: He likes to spend his days off in the garden.

In podcasts and talk shows, you'll hear guests describe their life journeys using this verb. It's a way to segment their life into periods: 'Jag tillbringade mina tonår i Malmö' (I spent my teenage years in Malmö). It sounds more natural and 'flowy' than simply saying 'Jag bodde i Malmö' (I lived in Malmö), as it emphasizes the experience of the time rather than just the residency.

Vi tillbringade hela natten med att prata om livet.

Translation: We spent the whole night talking about life.

The most frequent and glaring error English speakers make with tillbringa is trying to use it for money. In English, 'spend' is a 'one-size-fits-all' verb. You spend $50, and you spend 50 minutes. In Swedish, this is a linguistic 'no-go'. If you say 'Jag tillbringade hundra kronor', a Swede will understand you, but it will sound very strange—as if you were physically sitting with the 100-kronor bill for a duration of time. Always use spendera or lägga [pengar] på for finances.

Incorrect: Jag tillbringade mycket pengar på kläder.
Correct: Jag spenderade mycket pengar på kläder.

Confusion with 'Vara': Learners often default to 'vara' (to be) because it's easier. While 'Jag var i London i tre dagar' is correct, using 'Jag tillbringade tre dagar i London' shows a higher level of Swedish and sounds more sophisticated.
Missing the Object: You cannot just say 'Jag tillbringar i Stockholm'. You must include what you are spending: 'Jag tillbringar min tid i Stockholm' or 'Jag tillbringar helgen i Stockholm'.

Another mistake involves the preposition used after the verb. English speakers often want to use 'at' or 'in' directly. In Swedish, you usually need to specify the time first. For example, 'tillbringa tid med någon' (spend time with someone) or 'tillbringa tid på en plats' (spend time at a place). Using the wrong preposition can change the meaning or make the sentence feel disjointed.

Common Error: Jag tillbringade min tid till att läsa.
Better: Jag tillbringade min tid med att läsa.

Lastly, be careful with the word order when using auxiliary verbs like 'ska' (will) or 'vill' (want). The main verb tillbringa must be in the infinitive form. 'Jag ska tillbringa...' not 'Jag ska tillbringar...'. This is a basic grammar rule, but it's easy to forget when you're focusing on choosing the right vocabulary word.

Många gör felet att tillbringa för lite tid på förberedelser.

Translation: Many make the mistake of spending too little time on preparations.

While tillbringa is the most direct translation for 'to spend time', Swedish offers several other verbs that capture different nuances of passing time. Understanding these alternatives will make your Swedish sound more natural and precise. The most frequent 'competitor' is spendera, which as mentioned, is traditionally for money but is encroaching on the domain of time. However, there are more specialized verbs you should know.

Vistas: This means 'to stay' or 'to reside temporarily'. It is more formal than tillbringa and focuses more on the location than the duration. 'Han vistas för närvarande utomlands' (He is currently staying abroad).
Fördriva: Specifically used in the phrase 'fördriva tiden', which means 'to kill time' or 'to pass the time' when you are bored or waiting. It has a slightly more passive or aimless connotation.
Uppehålla sig: A more formal way to say 'to be located' or 'to stay' at a place. You often hear this in police reports: 'Den misstänkte tros uppehålla sig i Stockholmsområdet'.

Vi försökte fördriva tiden med att spela kort medan vi väntade på tåget.

Translation: We tried to pass the time by playing cards while waiting for the train.

When comparing tillbringa and stanna (to stay), the difference is that stanna emphasizes the act of not leaving, whereas tillbringa emphasizes the quality or duration of the stay. If you say 'Jag stannade i Paris', you simply stayed there. If you say 'Jag tillbringade en vecka i Paris', you are highlighting the week-long experience. Another subtle alternative is lägga (to lay/put), often used as 'lägga tid på' (put time into). This is very common when talking about efforts or work: 'Jag lägger mycket tid på mina studier'.

Du borde lägga mer tid på din hälsa.

Translation: You should spend (put) more time on your health.

In summary, while 'tillbringa' is your reliable 'workhorse' verb for spending time, being aware of these alternatives allows you to color your speech. If you are writing a formal letter, use 'vistas'. If you are talking about a hobby you work hard at, use 'lägga tid på'. If you are stuck at an airport, use 'fördriva tiden'. This variety is what separates a B1 learner from a C1 speaker.

Det är viktigt att tillbringa kvalitetstid med sina nära och kära.

Translation: It is important to spend quality time with your loved ones.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

Many Swedish verbs starting with 'till-', 'be-', or 'för-' are actually German imports that replaced or supplemented older Old Norse words. 'Tillbringa' replaced simpler ways of saying 'to be' when a more formal or precise term was needed.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈtɪlˌbrɪŋːa/

US /ˈtɪlˌbrɪŋːə/

Primary stress on the second syllable: till-BRING-a.

Reimt sich auf

bringa ringa slinga vinga tinga skringa springa tvinga

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it like 'till-bring-ga' with a hard G at the end.
Putting the stress on the first syllable 'till'.
Confusing the 'ng' sound with a simple 'n'.
Making the 'i' in 'bring' too long like an 'ee' sound.
Neglecting the double 'l' in 'till', which should be short and crisp.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize in text once the meaning is known.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires remembering the time vs money distinction.

Sprechen 4/5

The 'ng' sound and stress on the second syllable can be tricky.

Hören 3/5

Clearly audible in speech, but can be confused with other 'till-' verbs.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

tid dag vecka vara bo

Als Nächstes lernen

spendera vistas fördriva uppehålla ägna

Fortgeschritten

förslösa disponera förvalta inkvartera logera

Wichtige Grammatik

V2 Rule

I morgon tillbringar jag dagen på biblioteket.

Weak Verb Conjugation (Group 1)

Jag tillbringade hela natten vaken.

Preposition 'med att' for activities

Vi tillbringade kvällen med att spela spel.

Possessive Adjectives with Time

Hon tillbringar sin tid väl.

Infinitive after auxiliary verbs

Vi ska tillbringa helgen i skärgården.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

Jag vill tillbringa en dag i Stockholm.

I want to spend a day in Stockholm.

Basic infinitive after 'vill'.

Vi tillbringar tid tillsammans.

We spend time together.

Present tense 'tillbringar'.

Han tillbringar helgen hemma.

He spends the weekend at home.

Subject-Verb-Object order.

Hon vill tillbringa sommaren här.

She wants to spend the summer here.

Infinitive form.

Tillbringar du mycket tid i skolan?

Do you spend a lot of time in school?

Question form with verb first.

De tillbringar natten på tåget.

They spend the night on the train.

Present tense.

Jag tillbringar min semester i Malmö.

I spend my vacation in Malmö.

Possessive 'min' before 'semester'.

Vi ska tillbringa kvällen ute.

We are going to spend the evening out.

Future with 'ska' + infinitive.

Förra året tillbringade jag en vecka i Spanien.

Last year I spent a week in Spain.

Past tense 'tillbringade' with inverted word order.

Hur tillbringade du din barndom?

How did you spend your childhood?

Past tense in a question.

Vi tillbringade hela dagen på stranden.

We spent the whole day on the beach.

Past tense.

Hon har tillbringat mycket tid i skogen.

She has spent a lot of time in the forest.

Present perfect 'har tillbringat'.

De tillbringade julen hos sina kusiner.

They spent Christmas at their cousins'.

Preposition 'hos' for people's homes.

Jag brukar tillbringar mina kvällar med att läsa.

I usually spend my evenings reading.

Note the 'med att' structure for activities.

Tillbringade ni mycket tid på museet?

Did you spend a lot of time at the museum?

Past tense question.

Han har tillbringat två år i London.

He has spent two years in London.

Present perfect.

Det är svårt att tillbringa så mycket tid ensam.

It is difficult to spend so much time alone.

Infinitive as part of a subject phrase.

Varför tillbringar vi så lite tid med varandra?

Why do we spend so little time with each other?

Question with 'varför'.

Jag tillbringade största delen av mötet med att anteckna.

I spent most of the meeting taking notes.

Superlative 'största delen' (most of).

De har tillbringat åtskilliga timmar framför TV:n.

They have spent numerous hours in front of the TV.

Adjective 'åtskilliga' (numerous).

Hur vill du tillbringa din sista dag på jobbet?

How do you want to spend your last day at work?

Future intent with 'vill'.

Vi tillbringade en underbar kväll vid sjön.

We spent a wonderful evening by the lake.

Adjective 'underbar' modifying 'kväll'.

Hon tillbringar hellre sin tid ute än inne.

She would rather spend her time outside than inside.

Use of 'hellre... än' (rather... than).

De tillbringade natten i en liten stuga i fjällen.

They spent the night in a small cabin in the mountains.

Specific location 'i fjällen'.

Många studenter tillbringar alldeles för mycket tid på sociala medier.

Many students spend far too much time on social media.

Adverbial phrase 'alldeles för mycket'.

Han tillbringade flera månader med att rehabilitera sitt knä.

He spent several months rehabilitating his knee.

'Med att' followed by a verb in infinitive.

Vi tillbringade en hel del tid med att diskutera budgeten.

We spent quite a bit of time discussing the budget.

Idiomatic 'en hel del' (quite a lot).

Trots regnet tillbringade vi hela eftermiddagen utomhus.

Despite the rain, we spent the whole afternoon outdoors.

Conjunction 'trots' (despite).

Hon tillbringade sin ledighet med att volontärarbeta.

She spent her time off volunteering.

Compound noun 'volontärarbeta'.

De tillbringade en natt på sjukhuset för observation.

They spent a night at the hospital for observation.

Prepositional phrase 'för observation'.

Hur mycket tid tillbringar du faktiskt på dina hobbys?

How much time do you actually spend on your hobbies?

Adverb 'faktiskt' (actually).

Han tillbringade sina sista år i en liten by i Frankrike.

He spent his final years in a small village in France.

Plural possessive 'sina'.

Författaren tillbringade decennier med att finslipa sitt mästerverk.

The author spent decades honing his masterpiece.

Noun 'decennier' (decades).

Vi tillbringade en ansenlig mängd tid på att analysera datan.

We spent a considerable amount of time analyzing the data.

Formal adjective 'ansenlig' (considerable).

Han tillbringade sin ungdom i skuggan av kriget.

He spent his youth in the shadow of the war.

Metaphorical 'i skuggan av' (in the shadow of).

Att tillbringa tid i naturen har bevisade hälsofördelar.

Spending time in nature has proven health benefits.

Infinitive clause as a subject.

De tillbringade en sömnlös natt med att oroa sig för framtiden.

They spent a sleepless night worrying about the future.

Adjective 'sömnlös' (sleepless).

Forskaren tillbringade åratal i fält för att samla in prover.

The researcher spent years in the field to collect samples.

Idiomatic 'i fält' (in the field).

Hon tillbringade sin ålderdom med att skriva sina memoarer.

She spent her old age writing her memoirs.

Noun 'ålderdom' (old age).

Vi tillbringade timme efter timme med att diskutera filosofi.

We spent hour after hour discussing philosophy.

Repetitive structure 'timme efter timme'.

Han tillbringade sin existens i ett tillstånd av ständig kontemplation.

He spent his existence in a state of constant contemplation.

Formal noun 'existens'.

Konstnären tillbringade sitt liv med att utforska gränserna för det mänskliga medvetandet.

The artist spent his life exploring the boundaries of human consciousness.

Complex object clause.

De tillbringade en evighet, så kändes det i alla fall, i väntrummet.

They spent an eternity—at least it felt that way—in the waiting room.

Parenthetical insertion 'så kändes det i alla fall'.

Filosofen tillbringade sina sista dagar med att ifrågasätta sina egna teorier.

The philosopher spent his final days questioning his own theories.

Reflexive possessive 'sina egna'.

Hon tillbringade en betydande del av sin karriär med att motverka korruption.

She spent a significant part of her career countering corruption.

Formal verb 'motverka' (counter/oppose).

Vi tillbringade natten under en stjärnklar himmel i total tystnad.

We spent the night under a starry sky in total silence.

Poetic adjectives 'stjärnklar' and 'total'.

Mänskligheten har tillbringat årtusenden med att försöka förstå universum.

Humanity has spent millennia trying to understand the universe.

Noun 'årtusenden' (millennia).

Han tillbringade sin tid med att väva samman historiska fakta till en sammanhängande berättelse.

He spent his time weaving together historical facts into a coherent narrative.

Metaphorical use of 'väva samman' (weave together).

Häufige Kollokationen

tillbringa tid

tillbringa natten

tillbringa sommaren

tillbringa barndomen

tillbringa livet

tillbringa fritiden

tillbringa semestern

tillbringa tid ensam

tillbringa timmar

tillbringa julen

Häufige Phrasen

tillbringa tid tillsammans

— To spend time with each other, focusing on social bonding.

Det är viktigt att familjen tillbringar tid tillsammans.

tillbringa tid på något

— To spend time doing a specific activity or working on a task.

Han tillbringar mycket tid på sina studier.

tillbringa en evighet

— To spend an eternity (hyperbole for a very long time).

Vi tillbringade en evighet i kön till kassan.

tillbringa dagen med att...

— To spend the day doing something specific.

Hon tillbringade dagen med att måla om huset.

tillbringa natten hos någon

— To stay overnight at someone's house.

Får jag tillbringa natten hos dig?

tillbringa sista tiden

— To spend the final period of one's life or a specific event.

Han tillbringade sin sista tid i lugn och ro.

tillbringa helgen borta

— To spend the weekend away from home.

Vi ska tillbringa helgen borta i Göteborg.

tillbringa tid i fängelse

— To serve a prison sentence.

Han fick tillbringa tre år i fängelse.

tillbringa för mycket tid

— To spend an excessive amount of time on something.

Du tillbringar för mycket tid framför datorn.

tillbringa kvalitetstid

— To spend quality time, focusing on meaningful interaction.

Vi behöver tillbringa mer kvalitetstid ihop.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

tillbringa vs spendera

Traditionally only for money. Using it for time is common but technically an Anglicism.

tillbringa vs vistas

More formal and focuses on the location of the stay rather than the duration.

tillbringa vs stanna

Means 'to stay' (not leave), while 'tillbringa' focuses on the experience of the time.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"tillbringa tid i onödan"

— To spend time unnecessarily or wastefully.

Vi ska inte tillbringa tid i onödan på detta problem.

Neutral

"en väl tillbringad dag"

— A day well spent; a feeling of satisfaction with how time was used.

Efter långpromenaden kändes det som en väl tillbringad dag.

Literary/Formal

"tillbringa tid i det gröna"

— To spend time outdoors in nature (literally 'in the green').

Det är skönt att tillbringa tid i det gröna under sommaren.

Informal/Poetic

"tillbringa tid bakom galler"

— To spend time behind bars (in prison).

Han tillbringade tio år bakom galler.

Informal/Metaphorical

"tillbringa tid i rampljuset"

— To spend time in the spotlight/limelight (being famous).

Hon har tillbringat hela sitt vuxna liv i rampljuset.

Journalistic

"tillbringa tid i tysthet"

— To spend time in silence or contemplation.

Han föredrar att tillbringa sina morgnar i tysthet.

Neutral

"tillbringa tid vid ritbordet"

— To spend time at the drawing board (planning phase).

Ingenjörerna tillbringade månader vid ritbordet.

Professional

"tillbringa tid i exil"

— To spend time in exile.

Många intellektuella tillbringade år i exil.

Formal/Historical

"tillbringa tid i ovisshet"

— To spend time in uncertainty or suspense.

Familjen tillbringade veckor i ovisshet medan de väntade på svar.

Neutral

"tillbringa tid i goda vänners lag"

— To spend time in the company of good friends.

Det finns inget bättre än att tillbringa en kväll i goda vänners lag.

Idiomatic/Warm

Leicht verwechselbar

tillbringa vs bringa

It is the root word.

'Bringa' means to bring or cause (e.g., bringa ordning - bring order), while 'tillbringa' specifically means to spend time.

Hennes besked bringade klarhet i frågan.

tillbringa vs spendera

Both translate to 'spend'.

In strict Swedish, 'spendera' is for money and 'tillbringa' is for time. English uses 'spend' for both.

Jag spenderade 500 kronor på boken.

tillbringa vs fördriva

Both involve time passing.

'Fördriva' specifically means to 'kill time' or pass time when bored, while 'tillbringa' is neutral.

Vi fördrev tiden med korsord.

tillbringa vs vistas

Both describe being somewhere for a while.

'Vistas' is more formal and emphasizes the location where you are staying.

Turister vistas ofta i gamla stan.

tillbringa vs uppehålla

Sounds similar to 'uppehålla sig'.

'Uppehålla' means to delay or maintain, while 'uppehålla sig' means to stay somewhere.

Förlåt att jag uppehåller dig.

Satzmuster

Jag tillbringar [tid] i [plats].

Jag tillbringar en vecka i Malmö.

Vi tillbringade [tid] hos [person].

Vi tillbringade helgen hos mormor.

Hur tillbringar du din [tid]?

Hur tillbringar du din fritid?

Hon tillbringade [tid] med att [verb].

Hon tillbringade kvällen med att läsa.

I [tid] tillbringar jag [tid] på [plats].

I sommar tillbringar jag två veckor på Gotland.

Att tillbringa [tid] på [plats] är [adjektiv].

Att tillbringa tid i naturen är avkopplande.

[Person] har tillbringat [tid] i [tillstånd].

Han har tillbringat åratal i ensamhet.

Efter att ha tillbringat [tid] på [plats], insåg jag...

Efter att ha tillbringat en evighet i kön, insåg jag att butiken var stängd.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

tillbringande (the act of spending time - rare)

Verben

bringa (to bring/cause - the root verb)

Adjektive

tillbringad (spent - used as a past participle)

Verwandt

tidsfördriv (pastime)

vistelse (stay/sojourn)

tidsåtgång (time consumption)

tidsanvändning (time usage)

tidsplanering (time planning)

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Swedish, especially in the context of leisure and biography.

Häufige Fehler

Jag tillbringade 100 kronor. → Jag spenderade 100 kronor.
Tillbringa is only for time. Use spendera or lägga... på for money.
Jag tillbringar i Stockholm. → Jag tillbringar tid i Stockholm.
Tillbringa is a transitive verb and requires a time object like 'tid' or 'en vecka'.
Jag ska tillbringar helgen här. → Jag ska tillbringa helgen här.
After auxiliary verbs like 'ska' or 'vill', use the infinitive form (ending in -a).
Förra året jag tillbringade sommaren i Skåne. → Förra året tillbringade jag sommaren i Skåne.
Swedish follows the V2 rule; the verb must be the second element in the sentence.
Jag tillbringade tid till att läsa. → Jag tillbringade tid med att läsa.
The correct preposition for an activity following 'tillbringa tid' is 'med (att)'.

Tipps

Time vs Money

Always remember the T-T rule: Tillbringa is for Time. Spendera is for Silver (Money).

The NG Sound

Don't say 'bring-ga'. The 'ng' sound is one single nasal sound at the back of your throat, like in 'singing'.

Travel Context

When writing about your travels, use 'tillbringade' instead of 'var' to sound more like a B1/B2 speaker.

V2 Rule

If you start a sentence with 'I sommar' or 'Förra året', remember to put 'tillbringade' before 'jag'.

Formal Writing

In official letters, consider using 'vistas' if you want to sound even more formal than 'tillbringa'.

Med Att

To describe an activity, use the pattern: tillbringa + [time] + med att + [verb]. Example: tillbringa tid med att sova.

German Roots

If you know German, relate it to 'zubringen'. It helps to see the pattern of the prefix 'till-' (zu-).

Identify the Object

When listening, if you hear 'tillbringa', wait for the next word—it will almost always be a measurement of time.

Conversation Starter

Use 'Var tillbringade du din barndom?' as a great deep-conversation starter with Swedes.

No Placeholders

Never leave out the time object. 'Jag tillbringar i Sverige' is incorrect. Add 'min tid' or 'en månad'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Till' (until/to) and 'Bringa' (bring). You are 'bringing' yourself 'to' a certain point in time or a location for a duration. You bring your presence to the time.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a clock face where you are physically carrying a heavy bag labeled 'TIME' and placing it into a room. You are 'bringing' your time to that place.

Word Web

tid semester barndom natten helgen timmar plats tillsammans

Herausforderung

Try to write three sentences about your last three vacations, using 'tillbringade' in each one with a different location and duration.

Wortherkunft

The word 'tillbringa' is a loanword from Middle Low German 'zubringen'. It entered the Swedish language during the period of heavy Hanseatic influence (14th-16th centuries).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: In German, 'zubringen' literally meant 'to bring to' or 'to pass to', which evolved into the sense of 'passing time'.

Germanic (via Low German).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that using 'spendera' for time can sound uneducated or overly influenced by English in formal writing.

English speakers must unlearn the habit of using one word for both time and money. This is the biggest hurdle for native English speakers learning Swedish.

Sången 'Vi tillbringar natten tillsammans' (We spend the night together) - though often a translation of the Rolling Stones song. Travel slogans like 'Tillbringa sommaren i Sverige'. Legal documents referring to 'tid tillbringad i häkte'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Vacations and Travel

tillbringa semestern i...
tillbringa en vecka på...
tillbringa natten på tåg
var ska ni tillbringa...?

Personal History

tillbringa barndomen i...
tillbringa tonåren med...
tillbringa sitt liv som...
tillbringa sina sista år...

Daily Habits

tillbringa tid på sociala medier
tillbringa kvällen framför TV:n
tillbringa för mycket tid på...
tillbringa fritiden med...

Work and Education

tillbringa dagen i möten
tillbringa tid på förberedelser
tillbringa timmar med studier
tillbringa tid i labbet

Legal/Prison

tillbringa tid i häkte
tillbringa tio år i fängelse
tillbringa natten i arresten
tillbringa tid bakom galler

Gesprächseinstiege

"Hur tillbringar du helst en ledig lördag?"

"Var tillbringade du din senaste semester?"

"Skulle du vilja tillbringa ett år utomlands?"

"Hur mycket tid tillbringar du på din mobil varje dag?"

"Vem tillbringar du mest tid med i ditt liv?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Beskriv en dag som du tillbringade på ett perfekt sätt. Vad gjorde du?

Om du kunde tillbringa en vecka var som helst i världen, vart skulle du åka?

Reflektera över hur du tillbringade din barndom jämfört med hur barn tillbringar sin tid idag.

Skriv om en person som du gärna vill tillbringa mer tid med i framtiden.

Hur har sättet du tillbringar din fritid på förändrats under de senaste fem åren?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should never use 'tillbringa' for money. In Swedish, 'tillbringa' is strictly for time. For money, use 'spendera' or 'göra av med'. If you say 'Jag tillbringade pengar', it sounds like you were physically sitting with the money for a while rather than paying it.

It is not 'wrong' in modern casual Swedish, but it is considered an Anglicism (a direct translation from English). In formal writing, schools, and exams, you should always use 'tillbringa' for time to show a higher level of language proficiency.

The past tense is 'tillbringade'. For example: 'Vi tillbringade hela sommaren i Sverige' (We spent the whole summer in Sweden). It follows the regular Group 1 verb conjugation rules.

Yes, 'tillbringa' is a transitive verb, which means it needs an object—specifically a time-related object. You can't just say 'Jag tillbringar i London'. You must say 'Jag tillbringar [tid/helgen/min semester] i London'.

'Tillbringa' is the neutral, common word for spending time. 'Vistas' is more formal and focuses on the fact that you are located in a certain place. You would use 'vistas' in a formal report or a legal document.

You use the preposition 'med'. For example: 'Jag tillbringar tid med min familj'. If you are spending time *doing* something, you use 'med att': 'Jag tillbringar tid med att läsa'.

Yes, it is very common in that context. 'Han tillbringade fem år i fängelse' (He spent five years in prison). It is a neutral way to describe the duration of a sentence.

The most common related noun is 'vistelse' (a stay), though it's not a direct derivative. You might occasionally see 'tillbringande', but it's rare and usually replaced by other constructions.

The stress is on the second syllable: till-BRING-a. The first syllable 'till' is short and unstressed. This is a common pattern for Swedish verbs with prefixes.

The most common are 'tid' (time), 'natten' (the night), 'helgen' (the weekend), 'sommaren' (the summer), and 'barndomen' (childhood).

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen