When you want to express that you prefer one thing over another, you can use the word hellre.
It's an adverb that means 'more willingly' or 'by preference'.
You often see it with verbs like vilja (to want) or skulle vilja (would like).
For example, if someone asks if you want coffee or tea, and you prefer tea, you could say 'Jag vill hellre ha te' (I would prefer to have tea).
When you're trying to express a preference in Swedish, hellre is the word you're looking for. It means "rather" or "more willingly." Think of it as indicating that you'd prefer one option over another.
For example, if someone asks if you want coffee or tea, and you prefer coffee, you could say "Jag vill hellre ha kaffe." This shows your preference directly and efficiently.
When using hellre, it implies a choice between two or more options, where one is favored. It's often paired with än (than) to explicitly state the less preferred option.
For example, Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te translates to "I'd rather drink coffee than tea."
You can also use hellre on its own when the comparison is understood from the context. For instance, if someone asks, "Vill du ha kaffe eller te?" (Do you want coffee or tea?), you could simply say, "Hellre kaffe," meaning "Rather coffee."
When discussing preferences in Swedish, hellre is a crucial adverb that means "rather" or "preferably." It's commonly used to express a choice between two or more options. For example, if you prefer coffee over tea, you would say, "Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te." This indicates a stronger inclination towards one option. Hellre can also be used to suggest an alternative, as in "Ska vi gå ut? Nej, jag stannar hellre hemma." The word helps to convey nuances of preference and is a key component for expressing personal choices effectively in Swedish.
hellre en 30 secondes
- Use 'hellre' to show preference.
- It means 'rather' or 'preferably'.
- Often used with 'än' (than).
§ What does "hellre" mean?
The Swedish adverb "hellre" (pronounced something like hel-reh) is a common and useful word for expressing preference. At its core, "hellre" means "more willingly" or "by preference." Think of it as the Swedish equivalent of saying "rather" or "sooner" in English when you're comparing two or more options and stating which one you prefer.
- DEFINITION
- more willingly; by preference
It's an A2 level word, meaning it's something you'll encounter fairly early in your Swedish learning journey and it's essential for everyday conversations where you need to state your choices.
§ When do people use "hellre"?
Swedes use "hellre" in situations where they are presented with alternatives and want to express a clear preference for one over the others. It's about making a choice and indicating which option you find more desirable or acceptable.
Here are some common scenarios where "hellre" comes into play:
- Choosing between activities: If someone asks what you'd like to do, you can use "hellre" to say what you'd prefer.
- Expressing food or drink preferences: Deciding what to eat or drink is a classic scenario for using "hellre."
- Stating a general preference: You can use it to talk about what you generally prefer in certain situations, not just for immediate choices.
- Making polite suggestions: Sometimes, stating a preference with "hellre" can be a softer way to suggest an alternative.
Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:
Jag vill hellrerather drink coffee than tea.)
In this example, the speaker is choosing coffee over tea. "Hellre" clearly indicates the preferred beverage.
Ska vi gå ut eller stanna hemma? Jag vill hellrerather stay home today.)
Here, the speaker expresses a preference to stay home when given two options for an activity.
Hon arbetar hellreprefers to work in the morning. / She would rather work in the morning.)
This shows a general preference for working in the morning, not just a one-time choice.
When you're trying to integrate "hellre" into your vocabulary, think about situations in your daily life where you express preferences. What do you prefer to eat? What do you prefer to do on weekends? How do you prefer to travel? These are all perfect opportunities to practice using "hellre."
"Hellre" is typically placed before the verb it modifies or the action being preferred. Its position is fairly consistent, which makes it easier to learn. You'll often see it with modal verbs like "vill" (want) or "skulle vilja" (would like), or directly with a main verb.
By understanding the core meaning of "hellre" as expressing a preference or a more willing choice, and by practicing its use in various contexts, you'll find it becomes a natural part of your Swedish conversations. It's a key building block for more nuanced expression of your opinions and desires in Swedish.
§ Understanding 'Hellre'
'Hellre' is a Swedish adverb that means 'rather' or 'more willingly.' It expresses preference, indicating that someone would prefer one thing over another. It's a comparative form, implying a choice between at least two options, even if only one is explicitly stated.
Jag vill hellre
In this sentence, the implied alternative is doing something else, like going out. You're expressing a preference for staying home.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 'Hellre' with 'Bättre' (Better)
A common pitfall for English speakers is using 'hellre' when 'bättre' (better) is more appropriate. While both involve comparison, they express different types of preference.
- DEFINITION
- 'Bättre' refers to something being of higher quality, more suitable, or improving a situation.
Den här stolen är bättre. (This chair is better.)
Here, 'better' implies a judgment about the chair's quality or comfort, not a personal preference in the sense of 'rather.'
- DEFINITION
- 'Hellre' focuses on a choice or desire between options, often reflecting a personal inclination.
Jag tar hellre
This sentence expresses a personal preference for coffee. It's about what you desire more.
§ Mistake 2: Incorrect Placement in Sentences
Like many adverbs in Swedish, 'hellre' has a relatively flexible but important placement. Misplacing it can sound unnatural or even change the meaning of your sentence. In main clauses, 'hellre' typically comes after the verb, especially if the subject is a pronoun.
Vi vill hellre
In this case, 'hellre' follows the auxiliary verb 'vill' (want/will).
In sub-clauses, 'hellre' usually comes before the verb.
Jag hoppas att de hellre
§ Mistake 3: Overusing or Underusing 'Än' (Than)
When expressing a preference between two explicit options, 'hellre' is often followed by 'än' (than). Forgetting 'än' can make your sentence sound incomplete or awkward.
Correct: Jag dricker hellreän
Incorrect (missing 'än'): Jag dricker hellre
However, don't always force 'än' if there's no clear second option being stated.
Jag vill hellre
In this example, the alternative is unstated but implied (e.g., eating something else). No 'än' is needed.
§ hellre vs. föredra
Both hellre and föredra relate to preference, but they function differently in a sentence. Think of hellre as 'rather' or 'more willingly,' often used when comparing two options directly or stating a general preference in a flexible way. It's an adverb.
- DEFINITION
- hellre (adverb): more willingly; by preference
Jag vill hellrerather stay home.)
Ska vi gå på bio eller stanna hemma? Jag vill hellre stanna hemma. (Should we go to the cinema or stay home? I would rather stay home.)
Föredra, on the other hand, is a verb meaning 'to prefer.' It often takes a direct object or an infinitive verb as its complement. It's about expressing a stronger, more definite preference.
- föredra (verb): to prefer
Jag föredrarprefer coffee over tea.)
Hon föredrarprefers to read books.)
§ hellre vs. snarare
These two words can sometimes be confused because both can imply a choice or distinction. However, their primary uses are different.
- DEFINITION
- hellre (adverb): more willingly; by preference
As established, hellre is about choosing one option over another due to preference.
Jag vill hellrerather eat pizza than pasta.)
- snarare (adverb): rather; sooner; more accurately
Snarare is used when you're correcting a previous statement or clarifying something, often meaning 'more accurately' or 'instead.' It's about refining information, not expressing a personal preference in the same way hellre does.
Han är inte arg, snararerather disappointed.)
Det var inte en olycka, det var snararerather a conscious choice.)
§ Key Takeaways for hellre
To sum up, when you want to express a preference or a choice that you'd make more willingly, hellre is your go-to adverb. It implies a comparison, even if the other option isn't explicitly stated. Keep these points in mind:
- hellre is an adverb. It modifies verbs.
- It means 'rather,' 'more willingly,' or 'by preference.'
- It's often used with modal verbs like vill (want), skulle (would), or bör (should).
- It's excellent for contrasting two options where you favor one.
Understanding these distinctions will help you sound more natural and precise in your Swedish conversations. Practice using hellre in various sentences to solidify your understanding. Lycka till!
How Formal Is It?
"Vi skulle företrädesvis vilja se en ökning av de statliga bidragen. (We would preferably like to see an increase in government grants.)"
"Jag skulle hellre vilja ha kaffe än te. (I would rather have coffee than tea.)"
"Jag tar hellre en öl. (I'd rather have a beer.)"
"Jag vill hellre ha glass! (I'd rather have ice cream!)"
"Hellre en bira än en jobbig kväll. (Rather a beer than a difficult evening.)"
Exemples par niveau
Jag äter hellre fisk.
I eat ... fish.
Vill du ha kaffe eller te? Jag dricker hellre te.
Do you want coffee or tea? I drink ... tea.
Hon går hellre hem nu.
She goes ... home now.
Vi sover hellre här.
We sleep ... here.
De tittar hellre på TV.
They watch ... TV.
Jag läser hellre en bok.
I read ... a book.
Barnen leker hellre ute.
The children play ... outside.
Du jobbar hellre sent.
You work ... late.
Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te.
I would rather drink coffee than tea.
Hon äter hellre fisk än kött.
She would rather eat fish than meat.
Vi går hellre ut ikväll.
We'd rather go out tonight.
Du kan hellre stanna hemma om du är trött.
You'd rather stay home if you are tired.
De spelar hellre fotboll än att titta på TV.
They would rather play football than watch TV.
Ska vi åka buss eller hellre ta tåget?
Shall we take the bus or would we rather take the train?
Jag vill hellre läsa en bok.
I would rather read a book.
Han jobbar hellre sent än att inte bli klar.
He would rather work late than not finish.
Jag vill hellre ha kaffe än te.
I would prefer coffee rather than tea.
Vi kan hellre åka buss än att gå i regnet.
We can rather take the bus than walk in the rain.
Han vill hellre stanna hemma och läsa en bok ikväll.
He would rather stay home and read a book tonight.
Skulle du hellre bo i stan eller på landet?
Would you rather live in the city or in the countryside?
Jag äter hellre fisk än kött om jag får välja.
I would rather eat fish than meat if I can choose.
De bestämde sig för att hellre hyra en bil än att ta tåget.
They decided to rather rent a car than take the train.
Jag vill hellre lära mig svenska än tyska.
I would rather learn Swedish than German.
Hon ville hellre arbeta själv än i en grupp.
She would rather work alone than in a group.
Jag skulle hellre vilja läsa en bok än att titta på TV ikväll.
I would rather read a book than watch TV tonight.
Here 'hellre' is used with 'skulle vilja' to express a preference. 'Skulle vilja' means 'would like to'.
De bestämde sig för att hellre åka tåg än att köra bil på grund av trafiken.
They decided to rather take the train than drive by car because of the traffic.
'Hellre' modifies the verb 'åka' (to go/travel) to indicate preference. 'Än' means 'than'.
Om jag måste välja, tar jag hellre kaffe än te.
If I have to choose, I would rather take coffee than tea.
In this context, 'hellre' directly precedes the preferred item. 'Om jag måste välja' means 'If I have to choose'.
Hon sa att hon hellre stannar hemma och vilar än går på festen.
She said that she would rather stay home and rest than go to the party.
'Hellre' is placed before the verb 'stannar' (stays) to express her preference for staying home.
Vi skulle hellre vilja äta middag på en lugn restaurang.
We would rather like to eat dinner at a quiet restaurant.
Similar to the first example, 'hellre' combines with 'skulle vilja' to express a preference for a quiet restaurant.
Han föredrar att arbeta hemifrån, han skulle hellre vilja undvika pendlingen.
He prefers to work from home, he would rather like to avoid the commute.
Here 'hellre' is used in the second clause to explain the reason for his preference mentioned in the first clause. 'Föredrar att' means 'prefers to'.
Många människor väljer att hellre bo nära naturen än i en storstad.
Many people choose to rather live close to nature than in a big city.
'Väljer att hellre' translates to 'choose to rather', showing a choice based on preference.
Om du inte har bråttom, kan vi hellre ta den natursköna vägen.
If you are not in a hurry, we can rather take the scenic route.
'Hellre' is used to suggest a preferred alternative if certain conditions (not being in a hurry) are met. 'Om du inte har bråttom' means 'If you are not in a hurry'.
Jag skulle hellre vilja äta middag hemma ikväll än att gå ut på restaurang.
I would rather want to eat dinner at home tonight than to go out to a restaurant.
Here 'hellre' is used with 'skulle vilja' to express a preference for doing something.
Om du måste välja, skulle du hellre bo i staden eller på landsbygden?
If you have to choose, would you rather live in the city or in the countryside?
'Hellre' is often used in questions when asking about preferences between two options.
Hon tackade nej till festen; hon ville hellre stanna hemma och läsa en bok.
She declined the party; she would rather stay home and read a book.
Can be used to explain a reason for a choice, indicating a stronger preference.
Vi kan gå på bio, men jag vill hellre se en film hemma.
We can go to the cinema, but I would rather watch a movie at home.
A common way to express a personal preference in a conversation.
Han skulle hellre jobba övertid än att inte bli klar med projektet i tid.
He would rather work overtime than not finish the project on time.
Shows a stronger inclination towards one action to avoid another.
Jag har inga problem med att laga mat, men jag äter hellre ute ikväll.
I have no problem cooking, but I would rather eat out tonight.
Expresses a slight preference even when the alternative is acceptable.
De bestämde sig för att vandra i bergen; de ville hellre ha en aktiv semester än att ligga på stranden.
They decided to hike in the mountains; they would rather have an active vacation than lie on the beach.
'Hellre' clarifies the reason for a choice between two distinct activities.
Skulle du hellre ha kaffe eller te till frukost?
Would you rather have coffee or tea for breakfast?
A very common way to ask someone's preference in a polite manner.
Hon ville hellre stanna hemma än att gå ut i regnet.
She would prefer to stay home rather than go out in the rain.
Here, 'hellre' expresses a preference between two actions.
Jag äter hellre fisk än kött, om jag får välja.
I would rather eat fish than meat, if I get to choose.
'hellre än' is a common construction for expressing preference.
Vi skulle hellre se en komedi än en actionfilm ikväll.
We would rather see a comedy than an action movie tonight.
Can be used with modal verbs like 'skulle' (would).
Han tog hellre bussen för att slippa parkeringsproblemen.
He preferred to take the bus to avoid parking problems.
'hellre' can indicate a chosen course of action based on preference.
Är du en kaffe- eller tedrickare? Jag dricker hellre te.
Are you a coffee or tea drinker? I would rather drink tea.
Often used in response to a choice or question about preference.
De ville hellre arbeta sent för att bli klara med projektet.
They would rather work late to finish the project.
Shows a willing choice for a particular action.
Hon lyssnade hellre på musik än att titta på TV.
She would rather listen to music than watch TV.
Another example of 'hellre än' to show preference between activities.
Vi bor hellre på landet än i stan, det är så lugnt här.
We would rather live in the countryside than in the city, it's so peaceful here.
Used to express a general preference for a situation or location.
Expressions idiomatiques
"Jag vill hellre..."
I would rather...
Jag vill hellre dricka kaffe än te. (I would rather drink coffee than tea.)
neutral"Han äter hellre fisk."
He prefers to eat fish.
Han äter hellre fisk än kött. (He prefers to eat fish rather than meat.)
neutral"Vi stannar hellre hemma."
We would prefer to stay home.
Vi stannar hellre hemma i kväll. (We would prefer to stay home tonight.)
neutral"Skulle du hellre...?"
Would you rather...?
Skulle du hellre åka buss eller tåg? (Would you rather take the bus or the train?)
neutral"Hon läser hellre böcker."
She prefers to read books.
Hon läser hellre böcker än att titta på TV. (She prefers to read books than to watch TV.)
neutral"Det är hellre så att..."
It's more the case that...
Det är hellre så att jag inte har tid. (It's more the case that I don't have time.)
neutral"Jag gör det hellre själv."
I'd rather do it myself.
Jag gör det hellre själv än att be om hjälp. (I'd rather do it myself than ask for help.)
neutral"De bor hellre på landet."
They prefer to live in the countryside.
De bor hellre på landet än i stan. (They prefer to live in the countryside than in the city.)
neutral"Jag ser hellre att..."
I'd rather see that...
Jag ser hellre att du kommer i tid. (I'd rather see that you come on time.)
neutral"Vem vill du hellre prata med?"
Who would you rather talk to?
Vem vill du hellre prata med, mig eller honom? (Who would you rather talk to, me or him?)
neutralComment l'utiliser
Hellre means 'rather' or 'preferably'. It expresses a preference between two or more options. It's often used with the verb 'vilja' (to want) or 'föredra' (to prefer).
A common mistake is confusing 'hellre' with 'bättre' (better). While both imply a positive choice, 'hellre' specifically conveys personal preference, whereas 'bättre' is about quality or improvement. Another mistake is forgetting to use it with 'än' (than) when comparing two specific items or actions.
Examples:
Jag vill hellre ha kaffe än te. (I would rather have coffee than tea.)
Hon föredrar hellre att läsa en bok än att titta på TV. (She would rather read a book than watch TV.)
Vill du gå ut eller stanna hemma? Jag vill hellre stanna hemma. (Do you want to go out or stay home? I would rather stay home.)
Astuces
Hellre vs. helst
Hellre means 'more willingly' or 'rather', comparing two things. Helst means 'most willingly' or 'preferably', expressing a top preference among many options. For example, 'Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te' (I'd rather drink coffee than tea). 'Jag dricker helst kaffe' (I'd preferably drink coffee, among all possible drinks).
Using hellre with 'än'
When comparing two things with 'rather...than', you almost always use hellre followed by än (than). For example, 'Jag tar hellre tåget än bussen' (I'd rather take the train than the bus).
Position of hellre
Hellre typically comes after the verb in a main clause. 'Jag skulle hellre äta fisk' (I would rather eat fish). In a subordinate clause, it often comes before the verb: 'Han sa att han hellre ville stanna hemma' (He said that he rather wanted to stay home).
Hellre in questions
You can use hellre in questions to ask about preferences. 'Vill du hellre gå på bio?' (Would you rather go to the cinema?).
Common fixed expressions
A common expression is 'jag skulle hellre vilja' meaning 'I would rather like to'. For example, 'Jag skulle hellre vilja bo på landet' (I would rather like to live in the countryside).
Implied comparison
Sometimes the comparison is implied, not explicitly stated. 'Jag stannar hellre hemma ikväll' (I'd rather stay home tonight) – implying than going out.
Don't confuse with 'bättre'
Hellre refers to preference or willingness, while bättre means 'better' in terms of quality. 'Jag dricker hellre kaffe' (I'd rather drink coffee). 'Detta kaffe är bättre' (This coffee is better).
Using hellre with infinitives
When using hellre with a verb, it often precedes an infinitive. 'Vi kan hellre äta ute' (We can rather eat out).
Politeness in requests
Using 'skulle hellre vilja' can make a request or a statement of preference sound more polite and less direct. It softens the expression.
Practice with choices
Practice using hellre by talking about your own preferences. 'Vill du ha äpple eller päron?' (Do you want apple or pear?) 'Jag vill hellre ha äpple.' (I'd rather have apple.)
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'hellre' sounding a bit like 'hell, rather'. So, 'Oh hell, rather this!' when you're choosing a preference.
Association visuelle
Imagine two paths: one clearly well-lit and inviting, the other dark and difficult. You'd 'hellre' take the bright path. Visualize this choice whenever you hear 'hellre'.
Word Web
Défi
Try to use 'hellre' three times in conversation or writing today. For example, 'Jag äter hellre pizza än pasta.' (I'd rather eat pizza than pasta.)
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Expressing preferences in daily choices (food, activities, etc.)
- Jag äter hellre fisk än kött. (I'd rather eat fish than meat.)
- Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te. (I'd rather drink coffee than tea.)
- Vi går hellre på bio ikväll. (We'd rather go to the cinema tonight.)
Comparing two options and stating a preference.
- Jag vill hellre bo på landet än i stan. (I'd rather live in the countryside than in the city.)
- Hon jobbar hellre sent än att ta med sig jobbet hem. (She'd rather work late than bring work home with her.)
- De reser hellre med tåg än med flyg. (They'd rather travel by train than by plane.)
When giving an opinion about what you would prefer to do or have.
- Jag vill hellre ha en röd bil. (I'd rather have a red car.)
- Vi tar hellre den första bussen. (We'd rather take the first bus.)
- Jag stannar hellre hemma ikväll. (I'd rather stay home tonight.)
In polite suggestions or offers where you express a preference.
- Skulle du hellre ha vatten eller juice? (Would you rather have water or juice?)
- Jag föreslår att vi hellre ses imorgon. (I suggest we meet tomorrow instead.)
- Kan jag hellre hjälpa dig med det här? (Can I rather help you with this?)
When someone asks for your preference between two things.
- Vad vill du hellre göra? (What would you rather do?)
- Jag har hellre ingen åsikt om det. (I'd rather not have an opinion on that.)
- Vem vill du hellre prata med? (Who would you rather talk to?)
Amorces de conversation
"Vill du hellre äta ute eller laga mat hemma ikväll?"
"Om du fick välja, vilken stad skulle du hellre besöka?"
"Vad skulle du hellre göra på en ledig dag: läsa en bok eller titta på en film?"
"Vilket transportmedel använder du hellre – bil, buss eller cykel?"
"Föredrar du hellre sommar eller vinter?"
Sujets d'écriture
Skriv om en gång när du var tvungen att välja mellan två saker. Vad valde du hellre och varför?
Om du kunde bo var som helst i världen, var skulle du hellre bo och varför?
Beskriv tre saker du hellre gör än att arbeta/studera på en regnig dag.
Fundera över en situation där du uttryckte en stark preferens med 'hellre'. Hur gick det?
Vilken typ av mat äter du hellre till frukost, lunch och middag? Beskriv dina preferenser.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsWhile both can translate to 'rather' in English, hellre implies preference (I'd rather do this) and snarare implies correction or specifying something more precisely (It's rather this than that). For example, 'Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te' (I'd rather drink coffee than tea) vs. 'Det är snarare grått än svart' (It's rather gray than black).
No, hellre is an adverb. You would use comparative adjectives to express preference with adjectives, like 'Jag gillar det blåa bättre' (I like the blue one better), not 'Jag gillar det blåa hellre'.
Hellre is a common word and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's not considered particularly formal or informal.
Like many adverbs in Swedish, hellre often comes after the verb in main clauses, or after the subject and verb if there's an object. For example, 'Jag vill hellre äta nu' (I'd rather eat now) or 'Han skulle hellre bo i stan' (He would rather live in the city).
Yes, you can use it in short answers, for example: 'Vill du ha kaffe eller te?' (Do you want coffee or tea?) 'Hellre te.' (Rather tea.).
Hellre comes from 'hel', meaning whole or entire, similar to the English 'hale' or 'whole'. The '-re' ending is a comparative ending, so it literally means 'more whole' or 'more complete' in a sense of preference.
A very common phrase is 'hellre än' (rather than). For example, 'Jag vill hellre läsa en bok än titta på TV' (I'd rather read a book than watch TV).
No, hellre specifically expresses a preference. To express a lack of preference, you might say something like 'Det spelar ingen roll' (It doesn't matter) or 'Jag har ingen speciell preferens' (I don't have a special preference).
Yes, the superlative form is helst, meaning 'preferably' or 'most preferably'. For example, 'Vad vill du helst äta?' (What do you most prefer to eat?).
It's pronounced with a short 'e' sound, similar to the 'e' in 'bed', and the 'll' is a double 'l' sound. The 'r' at the end is often a soft, rolling 'r'. So, something like 'HEL-re'.
Teste-toi 90 questions
Jag vill ___ äta fisk än kött.
'Hellre' means 'rather' or 'preferably', which fits the context of choosing between fish and meat.
Vill du dricka kaffe eller te? Jag tar ___ te.
'Hellre' is used here to express a preference for tea over coffee.
Han vill ___ vara hemma än gå ut idag.
The sentence expresses a preference for staying at home, so 'hellre' is the correct choice.
Ska vi titta på film eller läsa en bok? Jag vill ___ läsa en bok.
'Hellre' indicates a preference for reading a book.
De vill ___ åka buss än ta tåget.
This sentence shows a preference for traveling by bus.
Äter du äpple eller banan? Jag äter ___ banan.
To express a preference for banana, 'hellre' is the appropriate word.
Jag vill ___ kaffe än te. (I would rather have coffee than tea.)
Hellre means 'rather' or 'more willingly', fitting the context of preferring coffee over tea.
Skulle du inte ___ stanna hemma ikväll? (Wouldn't you rather stay home tonight?)
Hellre correctly conveys the idea of preferring to stay home.
Hon äter ___ grönsaker än godis. (She eats vegetables more willingly than candy.)
Hellre is used to express a preference for vegetables over candy.
You can use 'hellre' to express a preference for one thing over another.
The word 'hellre' directly translates to 'rather' or 'more willingly', which is used to indicate preference.
'Jag vill hellre äta frukt.' means 'I never want to eat fruit.'
'Jag vill hellre äta frukt' means 'I would rather eat fruit.' The word 'hellre' indicates a preference, not a refusal.
'Hellre' is an adjective.
'Hellre' is an adverb, modifying verbs to express preference.
Listen for what I prefer to drink.
Listen for where he prefers to be.
Listen for what we prefer to eat for dinner.
Read this aloud:
Jag vill hellre äta äpple.
Focus: hellre
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Hon vill hellre läsa en bok.
Focus: hellre, läsa
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
De vill hellre titta på film.
Focus: hellre, titta
Tu as dit :
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Vilket ord passar bäst in i meningen: Jag vill ___ ha kaffe än te?
'Hellre' means 'rather' or 'more willingly', which fits the context of preferring coffee over tea.
Om du inte gillar att stanna hemma, vad skulle du då ___ göra?
'Hellre' implies a preference for doing something else.
Han ville ___ läsa en bok än titta på TV.
'Hellre' indicates a preference for reading over watching TV.
Om jag säger 'Jag vill hellre äta pizza', betyder det att jag föredrar pizza.
'Hellre' expresses a preference, so 'I would rather eat pizza' means you prefer pizza.
Ordet 'hellre' används för att visa att man är mindre villig att göra något.
No, 'hellre' indicates more willingness or preference, not less.
Du kan använda 'hellre' för att uttrycka ett val mellan två saker, där du föredrar det ena.
'Hellre' is commonly used to express a preference when making a choice.
Listen for 'hellre'.
Listen for the question about preference.
Listen for the decision about eating.
Read this aloud:
Jag vill hellre äta pizza.
Focus: hellre
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Han cyklar hellre än går.
Focus: cyklar hellre
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Skulle du hellre resa till Spanien?
Focus: Skulle du hellre
Tu as dit :
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'hellre' often comes after the verb in Swedish sentences.
'hellre' comes after the auxiliary verb 'vill' (want) in this construction.
When comparing two actions with 'hellre... än' (rather... than), the 'hellre' comes with the preferred action.
Jag vill ___ stanna hemma ikväll än gå ut. (I would ___ stay home tonight rather than go out.)
'Hellre' means 'rather' or 'more willingly', which fits the context of expressing a preference.
Om jag får välja, äter jag ___ fisk än kött. (If I get to choose, I ___ eat fish than meat.)
'Hellre' is used to show a preference between two options.
Vi skulle ___ åka tåg än buss för att se mer av landskapet. (We would ___ travel by train than by bus to see more of the landscape.)
This sentence expresses a preference for one mode of transport over another, making 'hellre' the correct choice.
Hon ville ___ läsa en bok än titta på TV. (She would ___ read a book than watch TV.)
'Hellre' indicates a preferred action.
De bor ___ på landet än i stan. (They ___ live in the countryside than in the city.)
To express a preference for living in one place over another, 'hellre' is the appropriate word.
Jag dricker ___ kaffe med mjölk. (I ___ drink coffee with milk.)
Here, 'hellre' implies a preference for coffee with milk over coffee without it.
Listen for 'hellre'.
Listen for the question about preference.
Listen for the preference to stay home.
Read this aloud:
Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te.
Focus: hellre
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
De vill hellre åka tåg än buss.
Focus: hellre åka
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Hon jobbar hellre sent än tidigt.
Focus: hellre sent
Tu as dit :
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You are planning a weekend trip with a friend. Write a short message discussing two activity options and expressing your preference using 'hellre'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hej! Vad sägs om att åka till kusten eller vandra i skogen i helgen? Jag skulle hellre åka till kusten eftersom det är så vackert där. Vad tycker du?
Imagine you are at a restaurant. Write a sentence to the waiter explaining that you would prefer a different dish, using 'hellre'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ursäkta, jag skulle hellre vilja ha pastan istället för fisken, om det går bra.
Your friend suggests going to the cinema, but you'd rather stay home and read. Write a sentence politely declining and stating your preference using 'hellre'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Tack för inbjudan, men jag skulle hellre stanna hemma och läsa en bok ikväll.
Vad föredrar Anna att göra på sommaren?
Read this passage:
Anna och Erik diskuterar sommarplaner. Anna säger: 'Jag funderar på att åka till fjällen i år, men jag skulle hellre vilja åka till Spanien för sol och bad.' Erik svarar: 'Jag förstår. Fjällen är fint, men ibland vill man bara ha värme.'
Vad föredrar Anna att göra på sommaren?
Anna säger 'jag skulle hellre vilja åka till Spanien', vilket indikerar hennes preferens.
Anna säger 'jag skulle hellre vilja åka till Spanien', vilket indikerar hennes preferens.
Vilket projekt föredrar Lisa att arbeta med?
Read this passage:
På jobbet får Lisa välja mellan två projekt. Det ena är ett stort, krävande projekt med hög prestige. Det andra är ett mindre, mer kreativt projekt. Hon funderar och tänker: 'Jag skulle hellre arbeta med det kreativa projektet, även om det andra ger mer erkännande.'
Vilket projekt föredrar Lisa att arbeta med?
Lisa säger att hon 'skulle hellre arbeta med det kreativa projektet', vilket visar hennes val.
Lisa säger att hon 'skulle hellre arbeta med det kreativa projektet', vilket visar hennes val.
Vad föredrar mamman att äta till middag?
Read this passage:
En familj planerar sin middag. Pappan föreslår pizza, men mamman säger: 'Jag skulle hellre äta hemlagad mat ikväll. Det är nyttigare och godare.' Barnen är osäkra och föreslår att rösta.
Vad föredrar mamman att äta till middag?
Mamman uttrycker sin preferens med 'Jag skulle hellre äta hemlagad mat ikväll'.
Mamman uttrycker sin preferens med 'Jag skulle hellre äta hemlagad mat ikväll'.
The word 'hellre' typically comes after the verb and before the thing you prefer.
In questions, 'hellre' often follows the subject and precedes the verb it modifies.
'Hellre' is placed after the auxiliary verb 'vill' and before the main verb 'cykla'.
You are planning a weekend trip with a friend. Write a short email suggesting two different activities for Saturday and stating which one you would prefer and why, using 'hellre'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hej [Väns namn], Hoppas allt är bra! Jag funderar på vad vi kan göra på lördag. Skulle du vilja gå på bio eller åka till museet? Jag skulle hellre gå på bio eftersom jag är sugen på att se den nya filmen. Vad tycker du? Hälsningar, [Ditt namn]
Imagine you are ordering food at a restaurant. Write a dialogue where you choose one dish over another, explaining your preference using 'hellre'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Servitör: Vad får det lov att vara? Du: Jag funderar på pastan eller salladen. Jag skulle hellre vilja ha pastan idag, jag är väldigt hungrig. Servitör: Absolut. Något att dricka? Du: En Coca-Cola, tack.
You are discussing future career plans with a mentor. Write a paragraph explaining which type of work environment you would prefer and why, incorporating 'hellre'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jag har funderat mycket på min karriär och jag har kommit fram till att jag hellre skulle arbeta i ett mindre team än ett stort företag. Jag tror att jag trivs bättre med närmare samarbeten och en mer personlig atmosfär, där jag kan bidra mer direkt.
Varför valde Anna att åka till fjällen istället för till kusten?
Read this passage:
Anna funderade på om hon skulle resa till fjällen eller till kusten på sin semester. Hon älskar att vandra, men hon gillar också att bada. Till slut bestämde hon sig för att hon hellre ville åka till fjällen eftersom hon kände ett större behov av lugn och ro, och naturen där är så fantastisk på sommaren.
Varför valde Anna att åka till fjällen istället för till kusten?
Texten säger att 'hon hellre ville åka till fjällen eftersom hon kände ett större behov av lugn och ro, och naturen där är så fantastisk på sommaren.'
Texten säger att 'hon hellre ville åka till fjällen eftersom hon kände ett större behov av lugn och ro, och naturen där är så fantastisk på sommaren.'
Vad prioriterade Per högst?
Read this passage:
Per var tvungen att välja mellan att arbeta över på fredag kväll eller att missa sin favoritkonsert. Han visste att jobbet var viktigt, men han hade sett fram emot konserten i månader. Han bestämde sig för att han hellre ville gå på konserten, även om det innebar att han behövde ta igen arbetet på lördag morgon.
Vad prioriterade Per högst?
Per 'hellre ville gå på konserten', vilket visar hans prioritet.
Per 'hellre ville gå på konserten', vilket visar hans prioritet.
Vad valde företaget att göra?
Read this passage:
Företaget stod inför ett val: att investera i ny teknik eller att expandera till en ny marknad. Efter noggrant övervägande kom ledningen fram till att de hellre ville investera i ny teknik för att förbättra sin befintliga produkt. De trodde att detta skulle ge en mer stabil och långsiktig tillväxt.
Vad valde företaget att göra?
Ledningen 'hellre ville investera i ny teknik', vilket var deras val.
Ledningen 'hellre ville investera i ny teknik', vilket var deras val.
The speaker prefers living in the countryside.
A choice between two beverages.
The group prefers a certain movie genre.
Read this aloud:
Jag skulle hellre arbeta självständigt med det här projektet.
Focus: hellre
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Hon sa att hon hellre skulle åka tåg än att flyga.
Focus: hellre åka
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
De ville hellre ha en lugn kväll hemma.
Focus: lugn kväll
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence expresses a preference for coffee over tea. 'Hellre' (rather/more willingly) is placed after the auxiliary verb 'skulle' and before the main verb 'vilja ha' (would like to have).
Here, 'hellre' indicates a preference for working from home. It's positioned after the verb 'jobbar' (works) and before the adverbial phrase 'hemifrån' (from home).
This sentence shows a preference for taking the bus instead of walking in the rain. 'Hellre' comes after the verb 'tar' (take) and before 'bussen' (the bus).
Vilken av dessa fraser uttrycker en starkare preferens än 'Jag vill ha kaffe'?
'Hellre' indikerar en klar preferens framför andra alternativ, vilket gör det till det starkaste uttrycket för vilja i det här sammanhanget.
Om någon frågar 'Vad vill du göra idag?', och du svarar 'Jag vill hellre läsa en bok', vad innebär det om du även har alternativet att se på film?
'Hellre' används för att uttrycka en preferens, att man väljer ett alternativ över ett annat.
Välj det bästa alternativet för att fylla i meningen: 'Jag arbetar _____ sent än jag missar deadlines.'
I detta sammanhang uttrycker 'hellre' en preferens att arbeta sent för att undvika att missa deadlines.
Satsen 'Jag föredrar att äta middag hemma' har en liknande betydelse som 'Jag vill hellre äta middag hemma'.
Båda meningarna uttrycker en preferens för att äta middag hemma, där 'hellre' och 'föredrar' fyller samma funktion.
Ordet 'hellre' kan användas för att uttrycka en negativ konsekvens som man föredrar framför en ännu värre konsekvens.
Man kan säga 'Jag vill hellre frysa lite än att svettas mycket' för att uttrycka en preferens för det mindre obekväma alternativet.
Om någon säger 'Jag dricker hellre te' betyder det att de aldrig dricker kaffe.
Det betyder bara att te är deras föredragna dryck i det ögonblicket eller generellt, inte att de helt utesluter kaffe.
The speaker prefers living in the countryside.
A question about beverage preference.
Her preference was to stay home and read.
Read this aloud:
Jag skulle hellre äta fisk än kött ikväll.
Focus: hellre
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Vi skulle hellre åka tåg än flygplan för miljön.
Focus: hellre, än
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Skulle du hellre arbeta självständigt eller i grupp?
Focus: skulle, hellre, självständigt
Tu as dit :
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/ 90 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'Hellre' is an essential adverb for expressing choices and preferences in Swedish, meaning 'rather' or 'preferably'.
- Use 'hellre' to show preference.
- It means 'rather' or 'preferably'.
- Often used with 'än' (than).
Hellre vs. helst
Hellre means 'more willingly' or 'rather', comparing two things. Helst means 'most willingly' or 'preferably', expressing a top preference among many options. For example, 'Jag dricker hellre kaffe än te' (I'd rather drink coffee than tea). 'Jag dricker helst kaffe' (I'd preferably drink coffee, among all possible drinks).
Using hellre with 'än'
When comparing two things with 'rather...than', you almost always use hellre followed by än (than). For example, 'Jag tar hellre tåget än bussen' (I'd rather take the train than the bus).
Position of hellre
Hellre typically comes after the verb in a main clause. 'Jag skulle hellre äta fisk' (I would rather eat fish). In a subordinate clause, it often comes before the verb: 'Han sa att han hellre ville stanna hemma' (He said that he rather wanted to stay home).
Hellre in questions
You can use hellre in questions to ask about preferences. 'Vill du hellre gå på bio?' (Would you rather go to the cinema?).
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aktiv
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aktuell
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allmän
B1relating to everyone or everything
anbefalla
C1to recommend, advise, or suggest
anbringa
C1to apply, attach, or affix
andra
A1Second
anfalla
C1to attack or assault
anfäkta
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angripa
B2to attack or tackle a problem
angå
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