At the A1 level, the word 'tillföra' might be a bit difficult because it's usually used in more formal situations. However, you can think of it simply as 'to give' or 'to put in.' For example, if you are talking about a plant, you 'tillför' (put in/give) water to it so it can grow. It's like adding something that is needed. Even though you might use simpler words like 'ge' (give) or 'lägga i' (put in) right now, 'tillföra' is a word you will see in books and news later on. Just remember: 'till' means 'to' and 'föra' means 'to bring.' So, you are 'bringing something to' something else. Imagine you are adding sugar to your tea—that's a simple way to visualize adding something to a whole. In A1, we focus on basic actions, but knowing that 'tillföra' exists helps you understand more complex Swedish sentences when you hear them on the radio or TV. It is a very polite and clear way to say you are adding something useful.
At the A2 level, you are starting to use more specific verbs. 'Tillföra' is a great word to use when you want to talk about adding resources or things that make something better. Instead of just saying 'Jag lägger till salt' (I add salt), you might see 'Man tillför salt för att få smak' (One adds salt to get flavor) in a recipe. At this level, you should notice that 'tillföra' is often used with things you can't always touch, like 'energi' (energy) or 'nytta' (use/benefit). If you are talking about your job, you can say 'Jag tillför energi till gruppen' (I bring energy to the group). This sounds much better than just saying 'Jag är glad' (I am happy). You are learning that Swedish has different words for 'add' depending on what you are adding. If it's a number, use 'addera.' If it's a friend on social media, use 'lägga till.' If it's something that helps a system work—like gas for a car or money for a project—use 'tillföra.'
As a B1 learner, 'tillföra' is a key vocabulary item for reaching professional and academic fluency. This verb is central to discussing contributions and supplies. You should be able to use it in the present (tillför), past (tillförde), and supine (tillfört) forms comfortably. In a B1 context, 'tillföra' is frequently used in work-related discussions. For example, during a meeting, you might say, 'Vi behöver tillföra mer resurser till det här projektet' (We need to add/allocate more resources to this project). It shows that you understand the concept of 'input.' You will also encounter it in health and fitness contexts, such as 'tillföra kroppen näring' (supplying the body with nutrients). The nuance here is that 'tillföra' implies a functional addition. It’s not just about making something bigger; it’s about making it work or making it better. You should also start noticing the passive form 'tillförs,' which is common in technical instructions: 'Värme tillförs tills vätskan kokar' (Heat is supplied until the liquid boils).
At the B2 level, you should be using 'tillföra' to express abstract ideas and complex contributions. It is a staple of formal Swedish (formellt språk). You will use it when discussing social issues, economic policies, or organizational development. For instance, 'Den nya reformen förväntas tillföra mer resurser till skolan' (The new reform is expected to provide more resources to the school). At this level, you should distinguish 'tillföra' from its synonyms like 'bidra med' or 'berika.' While 'bidra med' focuses on the person's participation, 'tillföra' focuses on the object being integrated into the system. You might also use it in a metaphorical sense: 'Hennes närvaro tillförde en känsla av lugn' (Her presence added a sense of calm). You are expected to use the word with correct prepositions, usually 'tillföra [något] TILL [något].' Your ability to use this word correctly in writing will significantly enhance the professional tone of your essays and reports. It reflects an understanding of how systems and processes are fed and maintained in Swedish thought.
At the C1 level, your use of 'tillföra' should be nuanced and precise. You understand that 'tillföra' is often used in the context of 'value-added' (mervärde) and strategic input. In a C1 discussion, you might analyze how a specific policy 'tillför legitimitet' (adds legitimacy) to an institution or how a chemical process 'tillförs katalysatorer' (is supplied with catalysts) at specific intervals. You should be comfortable using the word in complex sentence structures, including participial constructions: 'De tillförda medlen har gjort stor skillnad' (The supplied funds have made a great difference). At this stage, you also recognize the word's role in legal and administrative Swedish, where it often refers to the formal provision of evidence or documentation to a case. You can use 'tillföra' to describe the enrichment of a culture or a language, showing a high degree of stylistic flexibility. You are also aware of the subtle difference between 'tillföra' and 'tillhandahålla' (to provide/make available), where the former implies integration and the latter implies availability.
For C2 proficiency, 'tillföra' is a word you use with total mastery across all registers, from highly technical scientific papers to sophisticated literary prose. You can discuss the 'tillförsel' (supply/input - the noun form) of energy in thermodynamic systems or the philosophical 'tillförande' of meaning to existence. At this level, you might use 'tillföra' to describe the subtle ways an author adds layers of meaning to a text or how a diplomat adds nuance to a delicate negotiation. You understand the historical development of the word and its cognates in other Germanic languages, recognizing its roots in the concept of 'leading' or 'carrying' something towards a goal. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, employing 'tillföra' in exactly the right contexts to convey supply, contribution, and integration. You can also critique the use of the word in political rhetoric, noting when 'tillföra resurser' is used as a euphemism or a strategic buzzword. Your command of the word family, including 'tillförsel,' 'tillförlitlig' (reliable - though distinct, related in root), and 'tillförande,' is complete.

tillföra en 30 secondes

  • Tillföra means to add, supply, or contribute something beneficial or necessary to a system, group, or process.
  • It is more formal than 'lägga till' and is often used for resources like money, energy, or expertise.
  • The grammatical pattern is usually 'tillföra [object] till [destination]', such as adding nutrients to soil.
  • Common in professional, scientific, and news contexts to describe inputs that improve or sustain a whole.

The Swedish verb tillföra is a versatile and essential word for anyone reaching an intermediate level of Swedish. At its core, it means 'to add,' 'to supply,' or 'to contribute.' However, unlike the more basic word lägga till, which often refers to physical addition or simple list-making, tillföra carries a nuance of providing something necessary, beneficial, or functional to a system, a process, or a discussion. It implies that the thing being added becomes an integral part of the whole or improves the current state. You will encounter this word in professional environments, scientific descriptions, and news reports where resources, value, or energy are being discussed.

Professional Context
In business, it is frequently used in phrases like tillföra värde (add value) or tillföra kapital (inject capital). It suggests a strategic contribution that moves a company forward.

Den nya tekniken kommer att tillföra stora fördelar för miljön.

When we look at the word's structure, it consists of the prefix till- (to/towards) and the verb föra (to lead, bring, or carry). Literally, it means 'to bring to.' This literal sense remains visible in technical contexts, such as tillföra syre (supply oxygen) or tillföra energi (supply energy). It denotes a flow of something from an external source into a specific target.

Abstract Contribution
It is used when someone brings a new perspective to a debate: Han tillförde ett nytt perspektiv till diskussionen (He brought/added a new perspective to the discussion).

Vi behöver tillföra mer resurser för att projektet ska lyckas.

In everyday life, you might hear it in the context of cooking or nutrition—adding nutrients to food or adding heat to a pan. However, its most frequent usage remains in formal speech and writing, where precision about the nature of the 'addition' is required. It is a 'high-value' verb that makes your Swedish sound more sophisticated and precise than using 'ge' (give) or 'lägga till' (add) in every situation.

Technical Application
In mechanics or biology, it describes the input of substances: Att tillföra näring till jorden (To add nutrients to the soil).

Kan du tillföra något till den här gruppen?

Det är viktigt att tillföra vätska när man tränar hårt.

Företaget valde att tillföra nya medel till forskningsavdelningen.

Using tillföra correctly requires understanding its grammatical pattern. It is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object (the thing being added). Usually, the sentence structure follows: Subject + tillföra + Object + till + Destination. For example, 'Jag tillför (Subject/Verb) salt (Object) till soppan (Destination).' While 'lägga till' is often used for physical items, tillföra is the preferred choice when the addition is viewed as a supply or a contribution to a larger entity.

The Present Tense
The present tense is tillför. Example: 'Solen tillför värme till jorden' (The sun supplies heat to the earth).

Vi tillför ständigt nya funktioner i appen.

In the past tense, we use tillförde. This is used when describing a completed action of adding or contributing. For instance, 'Hennes tal tillförde mycket hopp till publiken' (Her speech added much hope to the audience). It is important to note that the word often appears in passive constructions in formal writing: ...som tillförs... (which is added/supplied). For example, 'Energin som tillförs systemet...' (The energy supplied to the system...).

The Supine Form
The supine form is tillfört. Example: 'De har tillfört nya idéer' (They have contributed new ideas).

Har du tillfört tillräckligt med vatten till växterna?

When using tillföra in the imperative (command) form, it remains tillför. However, this is rarely used as a direct command to a person unless in a recipe or technical manual ('Tillför 5 ml lösning'). More common is the infinitive construction with auxiliary verbs like 'måste' (must) or 'borde' (should). 'Vi borde tillföra mer färg i rummet' (We should add more color to the room).

Reflexive Usage
It is not usually used reflexively. You don't 'tillföra sig' something; you 'tillför' something to yourself or others.

Läkaren sa att vi måste tillföra extra vitaminer till kosten.

Den nya medarbetaren tillförde mycket energi till teamet.

Vi kan tillföra mer resurser om det behövs.

You will encounter tillföra in a variety of formal and semi-formal settings in Sweden. It is a staple in the Swedish media, particularly when discussing economics, politics, and science. If you listen to 'Dagens eko' (a popular news program) or read 'Dagens Nyheter,' you will often hear about the government 'tillföra medel' (providing funds) to healthcare or schools. It sounds more official and deliberate than simply saying 'ge pengar' (give money).

In the Workplace
During performance reviews (medarbetarsamtal), a manager might ask: 'Vad anser du att du tillför gruppen?' (What do you feel you contribute to the group?).

Regeringen vill tillföra mer pengar till polisen.

Another common arena is the scientific and medical world. Doctors might talk about tillföra vätska (administering fluids) to a dehydrated patient or tillföra syre (supplying oxygen). In environmental reports, you'll hear about how industries tillför koldioxid (add carbon dioxide) to the atmosphere. In these cases, the word describes a physical process of inputting a substance into a system.

In Education
Teachers discuss how to tillföra kunskap (impart/add knowledge) to students in an effective way.

Det är viktigt att tillföra nya perspektiv i debatten.

You might also hear it in sports commentary, especially when a substitute player enters the game. A commentator might say, 'Han tillför tyngd i anfallet' (He adds weight/presence to the attack). This implies that the player brings a specific quality that was previously missing. Even in home improvement shows, an interior designer might suggest 'tillföra lite färg' (adding a bit of color) to a room to change its atmosphere.

In Science
Used to describe chemical reactions: 'När vi tillför värme, reagerar ämnena.'

Vi måste tillföra mer syre till akvariet.

Den nya lagen kommer inte att tillföra något positivt.

Kan vi tillföra mer resurser till skolan?

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using tillföra where lägga till (add) or addera (add/sum) would be more appropriate. While all three translate to 'add' in English, they are not interchangeable. Tillföra implies a supply or contribution to a system, whereas lägga till is for adding an item to a list or a physical object to a pile. For example, you 'lägger till' a contact in your phone, but you 'tillför' expertise to a project.

Tillföra vs. Addera
Use addera for mathematics (1 + 1). Using tillföra in math sounds very strange to Swedish ears.

Fel: Jag ska tillföra mjölk i kaffet. (Correct: Jag ska hälla i/ha i mjölk).

Another common error is the confusion between tillföra and bidra (contribute). While similar, bidra is usually followed by the preposition till (bidra till något), and the focus is on the act of helping. Tillföra focuses more on the specific thing being added. You can say 'Han bidrog till framgången' (He contributed to the success), but you would say 'Han tillförde kunskap till projektet' (He contributed/added knowledge to the project).

Preposition Pitfalls
Many learners forget the second 'till' when specifying the destination. It should be: 'Tillföra [X] TILL [Y]'.

Rätt: Vi tillför kapital till bolaget.

Finally, learners sometimes use tillföra when they mean 'to apply' (applicera) or 'to use' (använda). Remember that tillföra always implies that the total amount or quality of the target increases because of the addition. If you are just using a tool, tillföra is the wrong word. It is about the *input* into a system.

Overuse in Casual Speech
In very casual conversation, tillföra can sound a bit stiff. Use 'ge' or 'lägga till' with friends.

Fel: Kan du tillföra mig på Facebook? (Correct: Lägga till).

Vi måste se till att tillföra rätt mängd bränsle.

De tillförde inget nytt till debatten.

When you want to express the idea of adding or contributing, Swedish offers several alternatives to tillföra, each with its own specific nuance. Understanding these differences will help you choose the most natural-sounding word for your context. The most common synonym is bidra med, which is very close in meaning but often emphasizes the person's effort or the act of giving help.

Bidra (med)
Meaning 'to contribute.' Example: 'Han bidrog med sin expertis.' (He contributed his expertise). Use this when focusing on the act of helping.

Vi kan bidra med mat till festen.

Another alternative is lägga till. This is the most general word for 'to add.' It is used for adding a sentence to a text, an item to a shopping list, or a friend on social media. It lacks the 'supply' or 'input' nuance of tillföra. If you are just making something longer or larger without necessarily 'feeding' a system, lägga till is your best bet.

Addera
Specific to mathematics and formal logic. 'Addera 5 till 10.' It is rarely used outside of technical or mathematical contexts.

Glöm inte att lägga till mjölk på inköpslistan.

For more formal or technical contexts, you might use injicera (inject) or införa (introduce/insert). Införa is often used for new laws, systems, or routines. For example, 'Vi ska införa ett nytt system' (We are going to introduce/implement a new system). While tillföra is about adding to something existing, införa is often about starting something new within a group.

Berika
Meaning 'to enrich.' This is a more poetic or positive version of tillföra. 'Resan berikade mitt liv.' (The trip enriched my life).

Regeringen ska införa en ny skatt nästa år.

Han kan tillföra den kompetens vi saknar.

Vi behöver tillföra mer syre till processen.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'föra' is related to the English word 'fare' (as in 'thoroughfare' or 'farewell'), which originally meant to travel or lead.

Guide de prononciation

UK /²tɪlːˌfœːra/
US /²tɪlːˌfœːra/
Primary stress on 'TILL', secondary stress on 'FÖR'.
Rime avec
köra höra göra störa röra smörja (near rhyme) slöa (near rhyme) snöa (near rhyme)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing 'ö' like the 'o' in 'go'. It should be more like the 'i' in 'bird'.
  • Missing the double 'l' sound (making it too short).
  • Pronouncing 'föra' like 'fora'.
  • Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., on the last 'a').
  • Not connecting the prefix 'till-' smoothly to the verb 'föra'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and books, easy to recognize once you know the root 'föra'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of the correct preposition 'till' and the nuance of 'supply' vs 'add'.

Expression orale 4/5

Sounds professional but can feel stiff if used in the wrong casual context.

Écoute 3/5

Clearly pronounced, but can be confused with other '-föra' verbs.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

föra till lägga till ge resurs

Apprends ensuite

tillförsel bidra införa utföra distribuera

Avancé

ackumulera implementera allokera injicera

Grammaire à connaître

Particle Verbs vs. Prefix Verbs

Tillföra (prefix) vs. Föra till (particle). Tillföra is more formal.

Group 2a Verbs

Tillföra - tillför - tillförde - tillfört.

S-Passive

Resurser tillförs (Resources are being added).

Transitive Verbs

You must tillföra *something* (direct object).

Prepositional Objects

Tillföra [X] *till* [Y].

Exemples par niveau

1

Jag tillför vatten till blomman.

I add water to the flower.

Simple present tense: Subject + tillför + Object + till + Destination.

2

Vi tillför socker i teet.

We add sugar to the tea.

Using 'i' or 'till' can both work here, but 'till' is more common with tillföra.

3

Tillför mer mjölk.

Add more milk.

Imperative form (command).

4

Solen tillför ljus.

The sun adds/supplies light.

Abstract but simple use of supply.

5

Han tillförde salt.

He added salt.

Past tense: tillförde.

6

Kan du tillföra värme?

Can you add heat?

Infinitive form after the auxiliary verb 'kan'.

7

Bilen behöver tillföra bensin.

The car needs to be supplied with gas.

Infinitive use expressing necessity.

8

De tillför energi.

They add energy.

Present tense with a plural subject.

1

Vi måste tillföra mer pengar till projektet.

We must add more money to the project.

Common B1-level structure used for resources.

2

Hon tillförde en bra idé.

She contributed a good idea.

Past tense used for abstract contribution.

3

Träning tillför mycket glädje.

Training adds/brings a lot of joy.

Present tense describing a general truth.

4

Man bör tillföra vitaminer till maten.

One should add vitamins to the food.

Modal verb 'bör' followed by infinitive.

5

De har tillfört nya regler.

They have added/introduced new rules.

Present perfect tense (har tillfört).

6

Kan den här maskinen tillföra syre?

Can this machine supply oxygen?

Technical usage of supply.

7

Vi tillförde extra tid för läxan.

We added extra time for the homework.

Using time as a resource.

8

Han vill tillföra något nytt.

He wants to contribute something new.

Infinitive phrase following 'vill'.

1

Det är viktigt att tillföra vätska under loppet.

It is important to supply fluids during the race.

Formal infinitive construction.

2

Företaget tillförde kapital för att expandera.

The company injected capital in order to expand.

Business context usage.

3

Den nya medarbetaren tillför mycket kompetens.

The new employee adds a lot of expertise.

Using 'kompetens' as the object.

4

Vi har tillfört nya funktioner i mjukvaran.

We have added new features to the software.

Present perfect for technical updates.

5

Vad kan du tillföra vår organisation?

What can you contribute to our organization?

Common interview question.

6

Gödsel tillför näring till jorden.

Fertilizer adds nutrients to the soil.

Scientific/Agricultural context.

7

Vi tillförde mer resurser till vården i år.

We allocated more resources to healthcare this year.

Political/Economic context.

8

Boken tillför ett historiskt perspektiv.

The book adds a historical perspective.

Academic context.

1

Reformen syftar till att tillföra mer resurser till glesbygden.

The reform aims to provide more resources to rural areas.

Complex sentence with 'syftar till att'.

2

Hur kan vi tillföra mervärde för våra kunder?

How can we add value for our customers?

Business strategy terminology.

3

Forskningen tillförde ny kunskap om sjukdomen.

The research added new knowledge about the disease.

Formal academic usage.

4

Det tillförda kapitalet räddade företaget från konkurs.

The supplied capital saved the company from bankruptcy.

Past participle 'tillförda' used as an adjective.

5

Vi måste tillföra syre till debatten.

We must bring some 'oxygen' (fresh air) to the debate.

Metaphorical usage.

6

Konstnären tillförde en personlig touch till verket.

The artist added a personal touch to the work.

Artistic context.

7

Denna metod tillför mer precision i mätningarna.

This method adds more precision to the measurements.

Technical/Scientific context.

8

Kan man tillföra rättvisa genom lagstiftning?

Can justice be added/brought about through legislation?

Philosophical/Legal context.

1

Det är problematiskt att tillföra externa medel utan kontroll.

It is problematic to inject external funds without oversight.

Formal evaluative sentence.

2

Skribenten lyckas tillföra en ironisk ton i texten.

The writer manages to infuse an ironic tone into the text.

Literary analysis usage.

3

Genom att tillföra katalysatorn påskyndas reaktionen.

By adding the catalyst, the reaction is accelerated.

Gerund-like construction with 'Genom att'.

4

Vi bör kritiskt granska vad dessa förändringar tillför.

We should critically examine what these changes contribute.

Indirect question as a clause.

5

Hennes erfarenhet tillförde en nödvändig tyngd åt förslaget.

Her experience added a necessary weight/gravitas to the proposal.

Metaphorical use of 'tyngd' (weight).

6

Det tillförs ständigt nya bevis i rättegången.

New evidence is constantly being introduced in the trial.

Passive present tense (s-passive).

7

Projektet har tillförts betydande resurser från EU.

The project has been allocated significant resources from the EU.

Passive present perfect (s-passive).

8

Att tillföra syre till en överhettad ekonomi kan vara riskabelt.

Adding 'oxygen' (stimulus) to an overheated economy can be risky.

Economic metaphor using infinitive as subject.

1

I vilken utsträckning kan man tillföra ontologiska kategorier till denna analys?

To what extent can ontological categories be added to this analysis?

Highly academic/philosophical register.

2

Författaren tillför texten en närmast sakral dimension.

The author adds an almost sacred dimension to the text.

Sophisticated literary criticism.

3

Att tillföra substans till en annars ytlig debatt kräver mod.

Adding substance to an otherwise superficial debate requires courage.

Abstract usage with 'ytlig' (superficial).

4

De tillförda medlen visade sig vara otillräckliga för att stävja krisen.

The supplied funds proved to be insufficient to curb the crisis.

Complex past tense narrative with participle.

5

Man bör undvika att tillföra onödig komplexitet i systemdesignen.

One should avoid adding unnecessary complexity to the system design.

Technical design principle.

6

Hennes bidrag tillförde en nyans som tidigare helt saknats.

Her contribution added a nuance that had previously been entirely lacking.

Nuanced description of contribution.

7

Vätskan tillförs droppvis för att kontrollera reaktionshastigheten.

The liquid is added dropwise to control the reaction rate.

Technical/Scientific passive with adverb.

8

Kan vi tillföra legitimitet till en process som saknar transparens?

Can we add legitimacy to a process that lacks transparency?

Political/Ethical inquiry.

Synonymes

bidra med addera lägga till leverera införa ge insätta berika

Antonymes

avlägsna ta bort minska förbruka

Collocations courantes

tillföra värde
tillföra kapital
tillföra energi
tillföra näring
tillföra kompetens
tillföra vätska
tillföra syre
tillföra resurser
tillföra perspektiv
tillföra medel

Phrases Courantes

Vad tillför det?

— What does it add? Used to question the value or purpose of something.

Jag förstår inte vad den här ändringen tillför.

Tillföra något nytt

— To bring something new to the table. Used in creative or professional settings.

Vi vill tillföra något nytt till marknaden.

Tillföra en dimension

— To add a layer of meaning or complexity. Often used in arts or analysis.

Musiken tillför en extra dimension till filmen.

Tillföra tillräckligt

— To add enough. Often used with resources or substances.

Har vi tillfört tillräckligt med bränsle?

Tillföra i efterhand

— To add something afterwards or retroactively.

Informationen tillfördes i efterhand.

Tillföra sälta

— To add saltiness. Common in cooking or metaphorically for 'edge'.

Osten tillför en god sälta till rätten.

Tillföra kraft

— To add power or strength to something.

Den nya motorn tillför mer kraft.

Tillföra hopp

— To bring hope to a situation.

Beskedet tillförde hopp till de drabbade.

Tillföra tydlighet

— To add clarity to a statement or situation.

Exemplen tillför tydlighet till förklaringen.

Tillföra substans

— To add substance or depth to an argument.

Vi behöver tillföra mer substans i debatten.

Souvent confondu avec

tillföra vs lägga till

Use 'lägga till' for lists or physical objects. Use 'tillföra' for resources or value.

tillföra vs utföra

U- means 'out'. Utföra is 'to perform' or 'carry out'. Tillföra is 'to add' or 'bring to'.

tillföra vs införa

Införa is to 'introduce' or 'implement' a new system or law.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Tillföra frisk luft"

— To bring in fresh air. Metaphorically, to bring new, innovative ideas to a stale situation.

Den nya chefen tillförde verkligen frisk luft till kontoret.

informal/neutral
"Tillföra bränsle till brasan"

— To add fuel to the fire. To make a bad situation or argument even worse.

Hans kommentar tillförde bara mer bränsle till brasan.

neutral
"Tillföra en gnutta salt"

— To add a pinch of salt. To add a bit of skepticism or a specific flavor to something.

Man får tillföra en gnutta salt till hans historier.

informal
"Tillföra färg till tillvaron"

— To add color to existence. To make life more interesting or exciting.

Hennes humor tillför verkligen färg till tillvaron.

poetic/informal
"Tillföra tyngd i vågskålen"

— To add weight to the scale. To provide an argument or factor that tips the balance in a decision.

Detta bevis tillförde betydande tyngd i vågskålen.

formal
"Tillföra nytt blod"

— To bring in new blood. To bring new people with fresh ideas into an organization.

Vi behöver tillföra nytt blod i föreningen.

neutral
"Tillföra sista handen"

— To add the final touch (usually 'lägga sista handen vid', but 'tillföra' can be used for the final element).

Kryddan tillförde den sista handen vid rätten.

neutral
"Tillföra ljus i mörkret"

— To bring light into the darkness. To provide hope or clarity in a difficult situation.

Hennes ord tillförde ljus i mörkret för oss.

poetic
"Tillföra en personlig prägel"

— To add a personal touch or character to something.

Hon tillförde en personlig prägel på inredningen.

neutral
"Tillföra guldglans"

— To add a golden glow. To make something seem more prestigious or successful.

Vinsten tillförde guldglans åt hans karriär.

journalistic

Facile à confondre

tillföra vs anföra

Similar prefix and root.

Anföra means to lead a group or to state/cite a reason. Tillföra means to add or supply something.

Han anförde skäl för sin åsikt. (He stated reasons for his opinion.)

tillföra vs medföra

Similar prefix and root.

Medföra means to entail or result in something. Tillföra is the act of adding an input.

Beslutet medför stora kostnader. (The decision entails great costs.)

tillföra vs uppföra

Similar prefix and root.

Uppföra means to construct a building or to behave (reflexive).

De ska uppföra ett nytt hus. (They will build a new house.)

tillföra vs addera

Both translate to 'add'.

Addera is strictly mathematical (1+1). Tillföra is for substances or qualities.

Addera siffrorna i kolumnen.

tillföra vs bidra

Both mean 'contribute'.

Bidra (till) focuses on the act of helping. Tillföra focuses on the specific thing being provided.

Han bidrar till projektet genom att tillföra kunskap.

Structures de phrases

A2

Jag vill tillföra [något].

Jag vill tillföra mer färg.

B1

Vi måste tillföra [resurs] till [projekt].

Vi måste tillföra mer pengar till skolan.

B1

[Något] tillför [kvalitet].

Erfarenheten tillför trygghet.

B2

Det är viktigt att [något] tillförs.

Det är viktigt att näring tillförs.

B2

Genom att tillföra [X] kan vi [Y].

Genom att tillföra kapital kan vi växa.

C1

Den tillförda [objekt] visade sig vara [adj].

Den tillförda vätskan visade sig vara giftig.

C1

Det tillförda värdet av [X] är [Y].

Det tillförda värdet av tjänsten är stort.

C2

I syfte att tillföra [abstrakt sak]...

I syfte att tillföra legitimitet till valet...

Famille de mots

Noms

tillförsel (supply/input)
tillförande (the act of adding)
tillförselled (supply line)

Verbes

föra (to lead/bring)
införa (to introduce)
utföra (to perform)
anföra (to state/lead)
medföra (to entail/bring with)

Adjectifs

tillförd (added/supplied)
tillförlitlig (reliable - related root)
oersättlig (irreplaceable - distant relation)

Apparenté

förråd (supply/storage)
bidrag (contribution)
tillägg (addition/appendix)
insats (effort/input)
resurs (resource)

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in professional and formal Swedish, less common in daily casual speech.

Erreurs courantes
  • Jag tillförde en vän på Facebook. Jag lade till en vän på Facebook.

    'Tillföra' is not used for social media or simple lists.

  • Vi tillförde 5 plus 5. Vi adderade 5 plus 5.

    Use 'addera' for mathematical addition.

  • Kan du tillföra mig saltet? Kan du ge/räcka mig saltet?

    'Tillföra' means to add to a system, not to hand someone an object.

  • Han tillförde till projektet. Han tillförde [något] till projektet.

    'Tillföra' is transitive; it needs a direct object (the thing being added).

  • Jag tillförde mjölk till kaffet (in a cafe). Jag hällde i mjölk i kaffet.

    'Tillföra' is too formal for simple daily actions like pouring milk.

Astuces

Professionalism

Use 'tillföra' in your CV to describe what you contributed to previous roles. It sounds much more professional than 'gjorde' (did).

Prepositions

Always remember the 'till' after the object. 'Tillföra [vad] TILL [vart]'. This makes your sentence structure complete.

Variety

Don't over-rely on 'lägga till.' If you're talking about ideas, energy, or money, switch to 'tillföra' to improve your style.

Technical Swedish

In chemistry or physics, 'tillföra' is the standard word for adding energy or substances to a reaction.

Recipe Reading

When reading formal recipes, 'tillföra' might be used for adding fluids or heat. It means 'supply' the ingredient.

The Root

Connect it to 'föra' (to lead/bring). You are leading something TO its destination.

The 'ö' Vowel

The 'ö' in 'tillför' is short. The 'ö' in 'tillföra' is long. Practice the difference to sound more natural.

News Vocabulary

This is a high-frequency word in Swedish news (SVT, SR). Learning it will help you understand economic reports.

Value Add

The phrase 'tillföra mervärde' (add extra value) is a favorite in Swedish corporate culture.

Nutrition

Use it when talking about diet: 'tillföra kroppen rätt näring' (supplying the body with the right nutrition).

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Till' as 'To' and 'Föra' as 'Ferry'. You are 'Ferrying' something 'To' a system to add to it.

Association visuelle

Imagine a conveyor belt 'ferrying' (föra) raw materials 'to' (till) a factory. You are 'tillföra-ing' materials.

Word Web

tillförsel resurser kapital energi näring värde kunskap bidra

Défi

Try to use 'tillföra' three times today: once for a physical substance (like water), once for a resource (like time), and once for an abstract idea (like a perspective).

Origine du mot

Derived from the Swedish prefix 'till-' (to/towards) and the verb 'föra' (to lead, carry, bring). It mirrors the Middle Low German 'toforen'.

Sens originel : To bring something towards a specific point or person.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but ensure you don't use it for adding people to groups in a way that sounds like they are just 'objects' or 'resources'.

English speakers often just say 'add', but in Swedish, choosing 'tillföra' over 'lägga till' marks you as a more sophisticated speaker.

Often used in Swedish government budget speeches (Budgetpropositionen). Common in Swedish medical journals (Läkartidningen). Frequent in business podcasts like 'Ekonomiekot'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Business/Economics

  • Tillföra värde
  • Tillföra kapital
  • Tillföra medel
  • Tillföra kompetens

Science/Medicine

  • Tillföra syre
  • Tillföra vätska
  • Tillföra energi
  • Tillföra näring

Cooking

  • Tillföra sälta
  • Tillföra värme
  • Tillföra vätska
  • Tillföra kryddor

Social/Professional

  • Tillföra perspektiv
  • Tillföra energi till gruppen
  • Tillföra något nytt
  • Tillföra erfarenhet

Politics/Society

  • Tillföra resurser till skolan
  • Tillföra polisen medel
  • Tillföra legitimitet
  • Tillföra hopp

Amorces de conversation

"Vad anser du att du kan tillföra vårt team?"

"Vilka resurser behöver vi tillföra för att lyckas?"

"Tror du att den här nya lagen kommer att tillföra något positivt?"

"Hur kan vi tillföra mer värde för våra kunder i år?"

"Vad tillför den här boken till din förståelse av ämnet?"

Sujets d'écriture

Skriv om en person som har tillfört mycket energi eller glädje i ditt liv.

Beskriv vad du vill tillföra till din framtida arbetsplats.

Reflektera över hur vi kan tillföra mer hållbarhet i vår vardag.

Har du någonsin tillfört något till en diskussion som ändrade allas åsikt?

Vilka egenskaper tillför du i dina vänskapsrelationer?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, that would sound very strange. Use 'lägga till' for adding people to lists, groups, or social media. 'Tillföra' is for resources or value.

Not exclusively, but it is more common in professional, scientific, or news contexts. In casual conversation, Swedes often prefer 'ge' or 'ha i' (for cooking).

They are close, but 'bidra' is often used with 'till' (bidra till något) and emphasizes the act of helping. 'Tillföra' takes a direct object (tillföra något) and emphasizes the thing being added.

It is a Group 2a verb: tillföra (infinitive), tillför (present), tillförde (past), tillfört (supine).

In a sense, yes—'to bring to.' But it specifically means bringing something so that it is added to a whole.

Usually 'till.' Example: 'Tillföra resurser TILL skolan.' Sometimes 'i' is used in specific contexts like cooking: 'Tillföra salt i soppan.'

Yes, the noun is 'tillförsel,' which means 'supply' or 'input' (e.g., energitillförsel).

Technically you could, but it sounds very scientific or overly formal. Better to say 'ha i' or 'hälla i' mjölk.

Yes! A common question is 'Vad kan du tillföra vårt företag?' (What can you contribute to our company?).

Usually, but it can be used for negative things too, like 'tillföra koldioxid till atmosfären' (adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere).

Teste-toi 192 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'tillföra' in the past tense about a business meeting.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about adding nutrients to a garden.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe what you can contribute to a new job using 'tillföra'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a formal sentence about government funding.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use 'tillföra' to talk about health and hydration.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about adding a new feature to an app.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Explain a chemical process using 'tillföra'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence using the passive form 'tillförs'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use 'tillföra' metaphorically about a person's personality.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about adding salt to a dish.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe a historical contribution using 'tillföra'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a question for a job candidate using 'tillföra'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use 'tillföra' in a sentence about art or design.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about adding oxygen to a room.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about technical precision.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use the supine form 'tillfört' in a sentence about resources.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about adding a new law.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use 'tillföra' to describe a teacher's role.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about a sports substitute.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe a personal achievement using 'tillföra'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce 'tillföra' correctly, focusing on the long 'ö'.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Tell a colleague what you can contribute to the new project.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Ask a question about adding resources to a project.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Practice saying: 'Solen tillför värme till jorden.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Explain that you need more water for the plants.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say that someone brought a good idea to the meeting.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Practice the passive: 'Mer kapital tillförs nästa år.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Ask if a machine can supply oxygen.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Tell your team they are doing a great job contributing energy.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Practice the supine: 'Vi har tillfört alla medel.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Describe adding salt to a soup.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say that a book adds a new perspective.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Ask: 'Vad tillför det här förslaget?'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say that you want to bring something new to the market.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Practice the sentence: 'Det är viktigt att tillföra vätska.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say that the substitute player brought weight to the attack.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Ask if we should add more color to the room.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Practice saying: 'Näring tillförs jorden.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say that the news brought hope.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Ask: 'Kan du tillföra mer information?'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the verb: 'Vi tillför resurser.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the tense: 'De tillförde kapital.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the object: 'Solen tillför värme.' What is added?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the destination: 'Tillföra näring till jorden.' Where is it added?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Har du tillfört salt?' Is it a question or statement?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the passive: 'Vätska tillförs patienten.' Is the fluid being given now?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the modal: 'Vi måste tillföra mer.' What is the modal verb?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen to: 'Det tillför mervärde.' What kind of value?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the adjective: 'Den tillförda energin.' Which word is the adjective?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen to: 'Vad tillför du?' Who is being asked?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the noun: 'Tillförseln av vatten.' What is the noun?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen to: 'Vi tillförde inget nytt.' Did they add something new?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the amount: 'Tillföra två liter.' How much?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen to: 'Kan du tillföra tydlighet?' What is requested?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen for the subject: 'Forskningen tillför kunskap.' What is the subject?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 192 correct

Perfect score!

C'tait utile ?
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !