Signification
To look after children.
Contexte culturel
Babysitting is often a teenager's first job. It's common to pay around 80-150 SEK per hour depending on the age and number of children. Grandparents are the most common 'barnvakter'. There's a strong cultural expectation that family helps out with childcare for free. The 'Barnkonventionen' (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child) is law in Sweden, meaning babysitters are expected to treat children with high levels of respect and autonomy. It is very common to 'sitta barnvakt' for neighbors. This builds 'grannsamverkan' (neighborly cooperation), which is highly valued in Swedish residential areas.
Use 'åt'
When saying who you are babysitting for, use the preposition 'åt' for a more native sound.
Not for parents
Never tell a Swedish parent they are 'sitting barnvakt' for their own kids unless you're joking.
Signification
To look after children.
Use 'åt'
When saying who you are babysitting for, use the preposition 'åt' for a more native sound.
Not for parents
Never tell a Swedish parent they are 'sitting barnvakt' for their own kids unless you're joking.
The 'Sitting' logic
Remember that 'sitta' is used for many 'watching' roles in Swedish (dog, house, child).
Fika is key
As a barnvakt, it's culturally expected that the parents leave some snacks or 'fika' for you!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'sitta' in the past tense.
Igår ____ jag barnvakt åt min systers son.
'Satt' is the past tense (preteritum) of the irregular verb 'sitta'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am babysitting'?
Hur säger man 'I am babysitting' på svenska?
'Sitta barnvakt' is the standard idiomatic collocation.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Vad ska du göra på lördag? B: Jag ska ______ åt mina grannar.
The context of doing something for neighbors implies babysitting.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are all common 'sitta' collocations in Swedish.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Sitta barnvakt vs. Passa barn
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIgår ____ jag barnvakt åt min systers son.
'Satt' is the past tense (preteritum) of the irregular verb 'sitta'.
Hur säger man 'I am babysitting' på svenska?
'Sitta barnvakt' is the standard idiomatic collocation.
A: Vad ska du göra på lördag? B: Jag ska ______ åt mina grannar.
The context of doing something for neighbors implies babysitting.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all common 'sitta' collocations in Swedish.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, 'sitta' is the fixed verb for this collocation. 'Stå' (to stand) would sound very strange.
Usually yes, if it's for neighbors. If it's for family, it's often a favor.
Usually 14 to 20 for teenagers, or 60+ for grandparents.
Yes, 'sitta barnvakt' is used regardless of the number of children.
'Sitta barnvakt' is the specific role/session. 'Passa barn' is the general act of looking after them.
No, for informal babysitting, no license is required. For professional daycare, you need education.
It's becoming more common through apps like Yepstr or MyNanny, but neighbors are still preferred.
Use 'satt'. Example: 'Jag satt barnvakt igår.'
You can, but 'åt' or 'för' is much more common and natural.
Yes, especially for young people, it shows responsibility.
Expressions liées
passa barn
synonymTo look after children
barnvakt
builds onA babysitter
vabba
similarTo stay home with a sick child
barnpassning
specialized formChildcare service
nattis
specialized formNighttime daycare
