At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'förflyta' yourself. It is a bit too advanced for basic conversations. Instead, you should focus on the word 'gå' (to go) to talk about time. For example, 'Tiden går' means 'Time is going' or 'Time is passing'. If you see 'förflyta' in a text, just remember it means 'to pass' when talking about hours or days. Think of it like a fancy version of 'to go'. You might see it in a simple story or a formal notice, but for now, stick to 'gå' and 'ta tid' (to take time) in your own speaking and writing.
At the A2 level, you are starting to see more formal Swedish in short news clips or simple books. You might encounter 'förflyta' in the past tense 'förflöt'. If you see a sentence like 'Tre timmar förflöt', it just means 'Three hours passed'. The important thing at this level is to recognize that it is used for time, not for moving furniture or walking past a shop. You should also start to recognize the pattern: time + förflyta. It's a useful word to know when you're reading, even if you still prefer to use 'gå' when you talk to your friends.
At the B1 level, you should be able to understand 'förflyta' in various contexts, including more formal writing like newspapers or work emails. You might start using it in your own writing to make it sound more professional. For instance, instead of always saying 'Det har gått tre år', you could try 'Tre år har förflutit'. This shows you have a larger vocabulary. You should also be careful not to confuse it with 'förflytta' (to move something). At B1, you are expected to handle the irregular conjugation: förflyter, förflöt, förflutit. Practice using it when describing the duration of a process or a long period of time.
At the B2 level, 'förflyta' should be a natural part of your formal vocabulary. You should understand the nuance it brings—a sense of 'flow' and 'duration' that 'gå' lacks. You are likely to use it in essays, formal reports, or when discussing history and social changes. You should also be comfortable with the past participle 'förfluten' and the noun form 'det förflutna' (the past). At this level, you can use 'förflyta' to vary your language and avoid repetition. You should also be aware that it is almost exclusively intransitive, meaning you never say 'förflyta något'.
At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of 'förflyta'. You can use it to create specific atmospheres in your writing—perhaps a sense of melancholy or a sense of inevitable progress. You understand its etymological roots in 'flyta' (to flow) and can use this to your advantage in poetic or highly descriptive passages. You are also expected to recognize it in complex legal or academic texts where it defines precise temporal boundaries. You should be able to distinguish it effortlessly from synonyms like 'svinna', 'löpa', or 'passera', choosing 'förflyta' specifically for its 'flowing' and 'formal' qualities.
At the C2 level, 'förflyta' is a tool for precision and stylistic elegance. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of time or in high-level literary analysis. You are aware of its historical usage and how it contributes to the 'high style' of Swedish prose. You can manipulate the word and its forms (like 'förflutenhet') to express complex abstract concepts. At this stage, your use of 'förflyta' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, appearing naturally in the most sophisticated contexts, from legal statutes to avant-garde poetry.

förflyta 30초 만에

  • A formal Swedish verb meaning 'to pass' or 'to elapse', used exclusively for time.
  • It is a strong verb with the forms: förflyter (present), förflöt (past), and förflutit (supine).
  • Commonly found in literature, news, and legal texts rather than casual conversation.
  • The past participle 'förfluten' is often used to refer to 'the past' (det förflutna).

The Swedish verb förflyta is a sophisticated and somewhat formal way to describe the passage of time. While the common verb 'gå' (to go) is used in everyday conversation to say that time passes, 'förflyta' carries a more literary, elegant, and sometimes philosophical weight. It is closely related to the verb 'flyta', which means 'to flow'. When you use 'förflyta', you are essentially describing time as a fluid substance that flows away, often unnoticed or at a specific pace. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object; time itself is the subject that performs the action of flowing or passing.

Tone and Register
This word is predominantly found in written Swedish, such as in novels, formal reports, historical accounts, and news articles. Using it in casual speech might sound slightly overly dramatic or archaic, unless you are intentionally being poetic.

One of the most important aspects of 'förflyta' is its conjugation. It follows the pattern of strong verbs. The present tense is förflyter, the past tense is förflöt, and the supine form is förflutit. You will frequently encounter the past participle förfluten, which functions as an adjective meaning 'past' or 'bygone'. For example, 'den förflutna tiden' refers to 'the past time'.

Många år har förflutit sedan vi senast sågs i Stockholm.

In this example, the word emphasizes the significant amount of time that has 'flowed away' since the last meeting. It suggests a sense of duration and the inevitable movement of the clock. Unlike 'passera', which can refer to both physical movement and time, 'förflyta' is almost exclusively reserved for the temporal dimension.

Conceptual Nuance
The prefix 'för-' in Swedish often indicates a process of moving away or changing state. Combined with 'flyta', it creates a vivid image of time leaking or streaming away from the present moment into the past.

Tiden förflyter snabbt när man har roligt.

This is the Swedish equivalent of 'time flies when you are having fun', but using 'förflyter' makes the statement sound more thoughtful and perhaps a bit more melancholic or reflective than using the simple 'går'. It is also common in legal or administrative contexts, such as 'innan en viss tid har förflutit' (before a certain time has elapsed).

Syntactic Usage
It is almost always used with a time-related subject: timmar (hours), dagar (days), veckor (weeks), år (years), or simply tid (time). It rarely appears with personal subjects unless used in a highly metaphorical, poetic sense.

Hur mycket tid måste förflyta innan såren läker?

In summary, 'förflyta' is your go-to word when you want to describe the passage of time with a touch of gravity, precision, or literary flair. It elevates the sentence from a simple observation of the clock to a more profound statement about the duration and movement of life itself.

Using förflyta correctly requires an understanding of its strong verb conjugation and its specific placement in Swedish sentence structures. Because it is an intransitive verb, it never takes an object. The focus is entirely on the subject—the time—and the act of it passing.

The Present Tense: förflyter
Use 'förflyter' to describe how time is passing right now or how it generally passes in certain situations. It is often paired with adverbs of manner like 'långsamt' (slowly), 'snabbt' (quickly), or 'obemärkt' (unnoticed).

Dagarna förflyter i en jämn ström av arbete och vila.

In the sentence above, the speaker describes a routine where days flow by steadily. The choice of 'förflyter' adds a sense of continuity and rhythm that 'går' might lack.

The Past Tense: förflöt
When recounting a specific event in the past where the passage of time was notable, use 'förflöt'. This is very common in narrative storytelling.

Flera timmar förflöt innan räddningstjänsten anlände till platsen.

Notice how 'förflöt' creates a more serious and formal tone, suitable for a news report or a dramatic retelling of an event. It emphasizes the duration of the wait.

The Perfect Tense: har förflutit
This is perhaps the most common way to use the word, especially when indicating how much time has passed from a point in the past up until now. It is frequently used with 'sedan' (since).

Tio år har förflutit sedan den stora reformen genomfördes.

You can also use 'förflyta' in the infinitive form after auxiliary verbs like 'måste' (must), 'kan' (can), or 'skall' (shall/will). This is often seen in legal documents or instructions where a certain duration is required.

Minst en vecka måste förflyta mellan de två behandlingarna.

Finally, the past participle 'förfluten' is often used as a noun in the neuter form: det förflutna (the past). This is a very common way to talk about history or one's personal background in a slightly more abstract or formal way than just saying 'förr' or 'historien'.

Vi kan inte ändra det förflutna, men vi kan lära av det.

By mastering these various forms, you can use 'förflyta' to express complex ideas about time with the precision and grace of a native Swedish speaker.

While you might not hear 'förflyta' every day at the grocery store or in a casual chat over coffee, it is a staple of Swedish public life and literature. Understanding where it appears will help you recognize the context and tone being conveyed. It is a word that signals professionalism, reflection, or narrative depth.

News and Media
In news broadcasts (like SVT's Rapport) or newspapers (like Dagens Nyheter), 'förflyta' is used to describe the timeline of events. You might hear a journalist say: 'Flera dygn har nu förflutit utan att man har hittat den försvunne mannen.' This sounds more objective and serious than using 'gått'.

Tiden förflöt under tystnad medan juryn överlade.

In this journalistic context, the word helps paint a picture of the atmosphere—the heavy, silent passage of time during a high-stakes moment.

Literature and Poetry
Authors love 'förflyta' because of its rhythmic quality and its connection to water. In a novel, you might read about how a character watches the seasons 'förflyta'. It adds a lyrical quality to the prose, suggesting that the character is a passive observer of time's flow.

Legal and official documents are another prime location for this word. When laws or contracts specify a waiting period, 'förflyta' is the standard verb. It provides the necessary precision and formal distance. For instance, a contract might state that 'tre månader ska förflyta innan uppsägningen träder i kraft' (three months must elapse before the termination takes effect).

Academic and Scientific Discourse
In scientific papers, especially those dealing with biology, geology, or physics, 'förflyta' is used to describe the duration of experiments or natural processes. 'Efter att en viss tid förflutit kunde man observera en förändring i cellstrukturen' (After a certain time had elapsed, a change in the cell structure could be observed).

Miljontals år förflöt medan berget sakta eroderade.

Finally, you will encounter it in speeches, especially at weddings, funerals, or anniversaries. Speakers often reflect on the time that has 'förflutit' since a significant milestone. It adds a layer of respect and solemnity to the occasion, acknowledging the weight of the years that have passed.

So, while you might not use it to ask how much time is left on your parking meter, you will certainly need it to understand the deeper, more formal layers of Swedish communication.

Because förflyta is a formal and strong verb, it presents several pitfalls for learners. Avoiding these common mistakes will make your Swedish sound much more natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Confusing it with 'förflytta'
This is the most frequent error. 'Förflytta' (with two 't's) is a transitive verb meaning 'to move' or 'to relocate' something or someone. 'Förflyta' (with one 't') is an intransitive verb meaning 'to pass' (time). If you say 'Jag förflyter stolen', you are literally saying 'I am elapsing the chair', which makes no sense.

Fel: Vi förflyter mötet till nästa vecka. (Wrong: We are 'elapsing' the meeting.)
Rätt: Vi förflyttar mötet till nästa vecka. (Correct: We are moving the meeting.)

Always remember: Two 't's for moving objects, one 't' for moving time.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Conjugation
As a strong verb, 'förflyta' does not follow the regular '-ade' pattern for the past tense. Learners often say 'förflytade' instead of 'förflöt'.
Mistake 3: Using it for Physical Movement
English speakers might be tempted to use 'förflyta' to mean 'to pass' in a physical sense, like passing a house on the street. In Swedish, this is 'passera' or 'åka förbi'. 'Förflyta' is strictly for the 'flow' of time.

Fel: Bilen förflöt huset snabbt. (Wrong: The car 'elapsed' the house.)
Rätt: Bilen passerade huset snabbt. (Correct: The car passed the house quickly.)

Mistake 4: Overusing it in Casual Speech
While not grammatically incorrect, using 'förflyta' in a casual conversation about how long it took to cook pasta can sound pretentious. Use 'gå' or 'ta' in those cases. Reserve 'förflyta' for when you want to sound more formal or when referring to longer durations or more significant events.

Finally, watch out for the supine form 'förflutit'. Some learners confuse it with the past participle 'förfluten'. Remember that 'har/hade' always takes 'förflutit' (the supine), while 'förfluten' (the participle) acts as an adjective or describes a state.

Swedish has several ways to say 'to pass' or 'to go' when referring to time. Choosing the right one depends on the context, the register, and the specific nuance you want to convey. Here is a comparison of förflyta with its closest relatives.

Gå (to go/pass)
This is the most common and versatile word. It is used in 90% of everyday situations. 'Tiden går' is the standard way to say time is passing. It is neutral and works in all registers.

Tiden går fort när man har roligt. (Neutral/Everyday)

Passera (to pass)
'Passera' is more objective and can refer to both time and physical space. It often implies passing a specific point or milestone. In temporal contexts, it is slightly more formal than 'gå' but less literary than 'förflyta'.

Vi har passerat sista datumet för ansökan. (Objective/Deadline-focused)

Svinna (to fade away/vanish)
This is a very poetic word. It suggests that time is not just passing but disappearing or wasting away. It is often used in the phrase 'tiden svinner'. It carries a sense of loss or transience.
Löpa (to run/course)
Used when time or a period is 'running' its course, often in legal or contractual contexts like 'tiden löper ut' (time is running out/expiring).
Förgå (to pass/perish)
Usually used in the sense of 'to pass' in older Swedish or specifically in the idiom 'tiden förgår' (time passes), which often implies that time is being spent or wasted.

By understanding these differences, you can choose the word that fits your intended meaning perfectly. Use 'förflyta' when you want that specific 'flowing' quality that implies a continuous, smooth, and somewhat formal passage of time.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

""

중립

""

비격식체

""

Child friendly

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속어

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재미있는 사실

Because 'förflyta' comes from 'flyta' (to flow), it shares a deep linguistic connection with water. This is why many Swedish poets use it to describe time as a river that cannot be stopped.

발음 가이드

UK /fœrˈflyːta/
US /fərˈflyːtə/
Primary stress is on the second syllable: för-FLY-ta.
라임이 맞는 단어
byta ryta snyta skryta yta flyta gryta knyta
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing it like 'för-flytta' (with a short 'y' and double 't').
  • Pronouncing the 'ö' as an English 'o'.
  • Putting the stress on the first syllable.
  • Failing to round the lips for the 'y' sound.
  • Confusing the past tense 'förflöt' with the present.

난이도

독해 4/5

Common in literature and news, but requires understanding of formal tone.

쓰기 5/5

Hard to use correctly without sounding too stiff or confusing it with 'förflytta'.

말하기 5/5

Rarely used in daily speech; learners should stick to 'gå' unless in a speech.

듣기 4/5

Easy to hear but can be confused with other 'för-' verbs.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

tid flyta sedan år

다음에 배울 것

förflytta förgås avlägsna tidsrymd förlopp

고급

förgänglighet tidlöshet stunda förflutenhet

알아야 할 문법

Strong Verbs (Class 2)

flyta - flöt - flutit (and thus förflyta - förflöt - förflutit).

Intransitive Verbs

Tiden förflyter (No object allowed).

V2 Rule with Adverbs

Sakta (adverb) förflyter (verb) tiden (subject).

Past Participle as Noun

Det förflutna (The past).

Prefix 'för-' semantics

Indicates passing, movement away, or change (e.g., försvinna, förflyta).

수준별 예문

1

Tiden förflyter.

Time passes.

Simple present tense.

2

En timme förflyter snabbt.

One hour passes quickly.

Subject + verb + adverb.

3

Dagar förflyter.

Days pass.

Plural subject.

4

Veckan förflyter långsamt.

The week passes slowly.

Definite singular subject.

5

Tiden förflöt.

Time passed.

Simple past tense (strong verb).

6

Några minuter förflyter.

A few minutes pass.

Indefinite plural subject.

7

Sakta förflyter tiden.

Slowly time passes.

Adverb at the beginning (V2 rule).

8

Åren förflyter.

The years pass.

Definite plural subject.

1

Många år förflöt innan de träffades igen.

Many years passed before they met again.

Past tense 'förflöt' used for long duration.

2

Tiden förflyter utan att vi märker det.

Time passes without us noticing it.

Present tense + subclause.

3

Hur mycket tid har förflutit?

How much time has passed?

Perfect tense (har + förflutit).

4

En lång tid förflöt under tystnad.

A long time passed in silence.

Past tense with prepositional phrase.

5

Tiden förflyter annorlunda på semestern.

Time passes differently on vacation.

Present tense with adverb.

6

Fem minuter har förflutit sedan starten.

Five minutes have passed since the start.

Perfect tense with 'sedan'.

7

Sommaren förflöt alldeles för fort.

The summer passed all too quickly.

Past tense with emphasis 'alldeles för'.

8

Tiden förflyter, men minnena stannar.

Time passes, but memories stay.

Contrast using 'men'.

1

Det har förflutit nästan ett decennium sedan dess.

Nearly a decade has passed since then.

Formal perfect tense with 'det' as formal subject.

2

När tillräcklig tid har förflutit kan vi fatta ett beslut.

When sufficient time has passed, we can make a decision.

Subclause using perfect tense.

3

Arbetsdagen förflöt lugnt och utan incidenter.

The workday passed calmly and without incidents.

Past tense describing a quality of time.

4

Man måste låta en viss tid förflyta mellan stegen.

One must let a certain time pass between the steps.

Infinitive after 'låta'.

5

Tiden förflöt medan han väntade på svar.

Time passed while he waited for an answer.

Past tense with 'medan' clause.

6

Trots att åren förflutit kände hon igen honom direkt.

Despite the years having passed, she recognized him immediately.

Concessive clause (trots att).

7

Hur kan tiden förflyta så obemärkt?

How can time pass so unnoticed?

Infinitive after modal 'kan'.

8

Under de månader som förflöt förändrades allt.

During the months that passed, everything changed.

Relative clause (som förflöt).

1

En avsevärd tid har förflutit sedan den senaste inspektionen.

A considerable time has elapsed since the last inspection.

Formal vocabulary (avsevärd, inspektion).

2

Tiden förflöt i en dimma av sorg och förvirring.

Time passed in a fog of grief and confusion.

Metaphorical use of 'förflöt'.

3

Det förflutna kan vi inte ändra, men vi kan påverka framtiden.

The past we cannot change, but we can influence the future.

Using the past participle 'förflutna' as a noun.

4

Innan tidsfristen har förflutit måste ansökan vara inne.

Before the deadline has elapsed, the application must be in.

Formal administrative context.

5

Seklerna har förflutit och lämnat sina spår i arkitekturen.

The centuries have passed and left their traces in the architecture.

Historical/literary context.

6

Tiden förflyter olika snabbt beroende på ens sinnesstämning.

Time passes at different speeds depending on one's state of mind.

Philosophical observation.

7

Efter att tjugo minuter förflutit togs kakan ut ur ugnen.

After twenty minutes had passed, the cake was taken out of the oven.

Passive voice in the main clause.

8

Det förflutna året har varit utmanande för oss alla.

The past year has been challenging for us all.

Participle 'förflutna' as an adjective.

1

I takt med att århundradena förflyter, suddas gränserna ut.

As the centuries pass, the boundaries are blurred.

Phrase 'i takt med att' (as/in step with).

2

Hela hans liv tycktes förflyta i en enda lång väntan.

His whole life seemed to pass in one long wait.

Infinitive with 'tycktes' (seemed).

3

Man kan ana det förflutnas vingslag i de gamla gränderna.

One can sense the wings of the past in the old alleys.

Idiomatic expression 'det förflutnas vingslag'.

4

Tiden förflöt utan att någon egentligen lade märke till det.

Time passed without anyone actually noticing it.

Nuanced use of 'egentligen'.

5

Det har förflutit tillräckligt med tid för att såren ska ha läkt.

Enough time has passed for the wounds to have healed.

Complex construction with 'för att ... ska ha'.

6

Deras samtal förflöt på ett sätt som tydde på djup förtrolighet.

Their conversation passed in a way that suggested deep intimacy.

Describing the manner of an event.

7

Varje ögonblick som förflyter är förlorat för alltid.

Every moment that passes is lost forever.

Existential tone.

8

Trots att decennier förflutit, kvarstod bitterheten.

Despite decades having passed, the bitterness remained.

Inverted word order in main clause.

1

Tidens obevekliga förflytande påminner oss om vår egen dödlighet.

The relentless passage of time reminds us of our own mortality.

Gerund-like use of 'förflytande'.

2

I det ögonblicket kändes det som om all tid hade upphört att förflyta.

In that moment, it felt as if all time had ceased to pass.

Counterfactual 'som om' clause.

3

Berättelsen väver samman det förflutna med nuet på ett sublimt sätt.

The story weaves together the past with the present in a sublime way.

Abstract literary analysis.

4

När väl den stipulerade tiden har förflutit, äger parterna rätt att häva avtalet.

Once the stipulated time has elapsed, the parties have the right to terminate the agreement.

High-level legal Swedish.

5

Hennes minne av händelsen hade förbleknat i takt med att åren förflöt.

Her memory of the event had faded as the years passed.

Literary past perfect + past tense.

6

Det är i det förflutnas spegel vi ser konturerna av vår framtid.

It is in the mirror of the past that we see the contours of our future.

Metaphorical/Philosophical.

7

Under den tid som förflutit har den politiska diskursen radikaliserats.

During the time that has passed, the political discourse has been radicalized.

Sociopolitical analysis.

8

Låt oss inte dväljas vid det förflutna, utan blicka framåt.

Let us not dwell on the past, but look forward.

Archaic/Formal verb 'dväljas'.

자주 쓰는 조합

tiden förflyter
år har förflutit
innan tid har förflutit
dagarna förflyter
timmar förflöt
en tidsrymd förflyter
det förflutna
förfluten tid
låta tiden förflyta
allt eftersom tiden förflyter

자주 쓰는 구문

Tiden förflyter snabbt.

— Time passes quickly. Used to comment on how fast life goes.

Tiden förflyter snabbt när man blir äldre.

Mycket vatten har flutit under broarna.

— A lot of water has flowed under the bridges. Used to say a long time has passed and things have changed.

Sedan vi sist sågs har mycket vatten flutit under broarna.

Det förflutna är glömt.

— The past is forgotten. Used when forgiving someone or moving on.

Låt oss säga att det förflutna är glömt.

I det förflutna.

— In the past. A common formal way to say 'förr'.

I det förflutna var detta vanligt.

Tiden förflöt under tystnad.

— Time passed in silence. Common in literature to describe a tense or calm atmosphere.

Tiden förflöt under tystnad medan de väntade.

Länge sedan förflutit.

— Long since passed. Used for ancient or very old events.

Den tiden har länge sedan förflutit.

Allteftersom tiden förflyter.

— As time goes by. Used to describe a gradual change.

Allteftersom tiden förflyter lär man sig mer.

Tiden förflyter obemärkt.

— Time passes unnoticed. Used when you lose track of time.

När man läser en bra bok förflyter tiden obemärkt.

Tiden förflyter långsamt.

— Time passes slowly. Used for boring or difficult periods.

I väntrummet förflyter tiden långsamt.

Efter att en viss tid förflutit.

— After a certain time has elapsed. Standard formal instruction.

Efter att en viss tid förflutit kan du försöka igen.

자주 혼동되는 단어

förflyta vs förflytta

Means 'to move something'. It is transitive and has two 't's. 'Förflyta' is intransitive and for time.

förflyta vs passera

More neutral and can be used for physical objects. 'Förflyta' is more poetic and strictly for time.

förflyta vs förgå

Often used in 'tiden förgår', but 'förflyta' is more common in modern formal writing.

관용어 및 표현

"Tiden läker alla sår."

— Time heals all wounds. While not using 'förflyta' directly, it is the core concept of time passing and changing things.

Ge det tid, tiden läker alla sår.

common
"Leva i det förflutna."

— To live in the past. To be stuck thinking about old times.

Du kan inte bara leva i det förflutna.

neutral
"Gräva i det förflutna."

— To dig into the past. To investigate old secrets or events.

Journalisten började gräva i politikerns förflutna.

neutral
"Ett minne blott."

— Merely a memory. Used for things that have passed and no longer exist.

Den gamla skolan är nu ett minne blott.

literary
"Tidens tand."

— The tooth of time. The wear and tear that happens as time passes.

Byggnaden har märkts av tidens tand.

literary
"I tidens fullbordan."

— In the fullness of time. When the right moment finally comes.

Allt kommer att ske i tidens fullbordan.

formal/biblical
"Göra upp med det förflutna."

— To settle with the past. To deal with old issues so you can move on.

Han behövde göra upp med sitt förflutna.

neutral
"Tiden rinner ut."

— Time is running out. Used when there is a deadline.

Skynda dig, tiden rinner ut!

neutral
"Tiden står stilla."

— Time stands still. Used for very intense or beautiful moments.

När jag såg henne kändes det som om tiden stod stilla.

literary
"Bära på ett mörkt förflutet."

— To carry a dark past. To have secrets or a bad history.

Mannen bar på ett mörkt förflutet.

literary

혼동하기 쉬운

förflyta vs förflytta

Similar spelling and sound.

'Förflytta' is moving an object; 'förflyta' is time passing. 'Förflytta' is regular (förflyttade); 'förflyta' is strong (förflöt).

Jag förflyttade stolen. Tiden förflöt.

förflyta vs flyta

It is the root word.

'Flyta' means to float or flow (like water); 'förflyta' specifically refers to the abstract flow of time.

Båten flyter. Tiden förflyter.

förflyta vs förgylla

Starts with 'för-' and has a 'y'.

'Förgylla' means to gild or brighten up. Nothing to do with time passing.

Det förgyllde min dag.

förflyta vs förfluten

It is the participle form.

Used as an adjective (past) or noun (the past), whereas 'förflyta' is the action.

En förfluten tid. Tiden har förflutit.

förflyta vs utgå

Also relates to time ending.

'Utgå' often means to expire or start from. 'Förflyta' is the process of time passing.

Tiden har utgått (Time is up).

문장 패턴

A2

[Tid] förflyter [adverb].

Tiden förflyter snabbt.

B1

[Tid] har förflutit sedan [händelse].

Två år har förflutit sedan vi flyttade.

B1

Låta [tid] förflyta.

Vi måste låta en vecka förflyta.

B2

Under den tid som förflöt...

Under den tid som förflöt hann vi tänka efter.

B2

Det förflutna [substantiv]...

Det förflutna året var bra.

C1

Allt eftersom [tid] förflyter...

Allt eftersom åren förflyter glömmer man detaljer.

C1

I det förflutna...

I det förflutna var allt annorlunda.

C2

Tidens [adjektiv] förflytande...

Tidens obevekliga förflytande skrämmer mig.

어휘 가족

명사

동사

형용사

관련

사용법

frequency

Medium-High in written Swedish; Low in spoken Swedish.

자주 하는 실수
  • Vi förflyter mötet. Vi förflyttar mötet.

    You cannot 'elapse' a meeting. You must 'move' (förflytta) it. 'Förflyta' is only for time passing.

  • Tiden förflytade snabbt. Tiden förflöt snabbt.

    'Förflyta' is a strong verb. The past tense is 'förflöt', not 'förflytade'.

  • Bilen förflöt huset. Bilen passerade huset.

    'Förflyta' is only for time. Physical objects 'passerar' or 'åker förbi'.

  • Tiden har förflyttit. Tiden har förflutit.

    The supine form is 'förflutit'. 'Förflyttit' is not a word (the past of 'förflytta' is 'förflyttat').

  • Jag lever i det förflutet. Jag lever i det förflutna.

    When using the past participle as a noun, it must be in the definite form: 'det förflutna'.

Strong Verb Alert

Don't forget the vowel shift! It's y -> ö -> u. Practice saying 'förflyter, förflöt, förflutit' three times fast.

Elevate Your Writing

In your next Swedish essay, swap out 'Tiden gick' for 'Tiden förflöt'. It's an easy way to sound more like a B2/C1 student.

One 'T' or Two?

One 't' for Time (förflyta). Two 't's for Things (förflytta). This is the most important distinction for this word.

Legal Reading

If you see 'förflyta' in a contract, pay attention! It usually marks a mandatory waiting period or a deadline.

The Swedish 'Y'

The 'y' in 'förflyta' is a front, high, rounded vowel. It doesn't exist in English. Pucker your lips like you're going to whistle, but say 'ee'.

The Flow Concept

Always think of water when you use this word. It helps you remember that it's about a continuous, smooth passage.

News Keywords

Listen for 'har förflutit' in news reports about missing persons or long-term investigations.

Det förflutna

Learn 'det förflutna' as a single block. It's the standard way to refer to the past in a formal way.

Intransitive Only

Never use 'förflyta' with an object. You can't 'förflyta' a meeting. Only time can 'förflyta'.

Literary Flair

Use it when writing stories to describe a change in season or the aging of a character.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'FOR' (prefix) + 'FLIGHT' (time taking flight/flowing). Imagine time is like a river that has 'FLOWED' (flyta) away 'FOR' good.

시각적 연상

Visualize an old hourglass where the sand isn't just falling, but flowing like a stream of water into a dark ocean called 'the past'.

Word Web

Tid (Time) Flyta (Flow) Dåtid (Past) Sekunder (Seconds) År (Years) Evighet (Eternity) Klocka (Clock) Historia (History)

챌린지

Try to write three sentences about your last vacation using 'förflyta' in the past tense (förflöt) or perfect tense (har förflutit).

어원

The word 'förflyta' is a compound consisting of the prefix 'för-' and the verb 'flyta'. The prefix 'för-' here indicates a process of moving away or passing. 'Flyta' comes from the Old Norse 'fljóta', which has roots in the Proto-Germanic '*fleutaną'. It is related to the English word 'fleet' and 'flow'.

원래 의미: The original meaning was literally 'to flow away' or 'to float away'. Over time, this physical movement was metaphorically applied to the passage of time.

North Germanic / Indo-European.

문화적 맥락

No specific sensitivities, but using it in very casual settings might make you sound stiff or 'besserwisser' (know-it-all).

The closest English equivalent is 'to elapse', which is also formal. While English speakers often say 'time passes' or 'time goes by', 'elapse' is used in similar legal or formal contexts as 'förflyta'.

The phrase 'Det förflutna' is used in the Swedish title of many historical books. Swedish hymns often use 'förflyta' to describe the transient nature of earthly life. Legal statutes in the Swedish Code of Laws (Sveriges Rikes Lag) frequently use the term.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Waiting for something

  • Tiden förflöt långsamt.
  • Många timmar förflöt.
  • Väntan kändes evig.
  • Allt eftersom tiden förflöt...

Legal/Official deadlines

  • Innan tidsfristen har förflutit.
  • Tio dagar ska förflyta.
  • När tiden har förflutit.
  • Efter förfluten tid.

Reflecting on history

  • Det förflutna året.
  • Många sekel har förflutit.
  • I det förflutna.
  • Spår från det förflutna.

Storytelling/Narrative

  • Natten förflöt lugnt.
  • Sommaren förflöt snabbt.
  • Tiden förflöt under tystnad.
  • Åren som förflutit.

Scientific duration

  • Låt fem minuter förflyta.
  • Tiden som förflutit mellan testerna.
  • Allteftersom tiden förflyter i experimentet.
  • En viss tidsrymd förflyter.

대화 시작하기

"Hur tycker du att tiden har förflyttit under det senaste året?"

"Tycker du att tiden förflyter snabbare ju äldre man blir?"

"Vad är det viktigaste du har lärt dig från det förflutna?"

"Om du kunde stoppa tiden från att förflyta för en dag, vad skulle du göra?"

"Hur mycket tid måste förflyta innan man kan förlåta någon helt?"

일기 주제

Reflektera över hur det senaste decenniet har förflutit i ditt liv.

Beskriv en dag som förflöt alldeles för långsamt och varför.

Vad i ditt förflutna har format dig mest som person idag?

Skriv om en händelse där tiden tycktes förflyta annorlunda än vanligt.

Hur vill du att det kommande året ska förflyta för dig?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, you should use 'passera' or 'åka förbi'. 'Förflyta' is exclusively used for the passage of time (minutes, years, etc.).

'Förflöt' is the simple past (e.g., 'Tiden förflöt' - Time passed). 'Förflutit' is the supine form used with 'har' or 'hade' (e.g., 'Tiden har förflutit' - Time has passed).

No, it is quite formal. In daily conversation, Swedes almost always use the verb 'gå' (Tiden går) or 'ta' (Det tog tre timmar).

Remember that time is 'light' and only needs one 't'. Moving a heavy sofa ('förflytta') needs two 't's for extra strength!

Usually not. For money, we use 'flöda' (flow) or 'försvinna' (disappear). 'Förflyta' is strictly temporal.

No, you can also say 'dåtiden' or 'historien', but 'det förflutna' is very common and sounds slightly more personal or literary.

It is neutral. You must add an adverb like 'snabbt' (fast) or 'långsamt' (slowly) to specify the speed.

Yes, you can say 'Tid kommer att förflyta' (Time will pass), though it sounds very formal.

There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but 'stanna' (to stop) or 'bestå' (to endure/remain) are often used as conceptual opposites.

Linguistically, yes, they both come from roots related to movement, but in modern Swedish, they are used for completely different things (time vs. objects).

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Translate: 'Time passes.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Many years passed.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'har förflutit'.

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'We cannot change the past.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe how time flows in a forest using 'förflyta'.

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'An hour passes.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The summer passed quickly.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'How much time has passed?'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence with 'låta tiden förflyta'.

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'As the years pass, we change.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Days pass.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Two weeks passed.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'A decade has passed.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The past year was good.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write about history using 'det förflutna'.

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Time passes slowly.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The night passed.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Wait until time has passed.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Time passes unnoticed.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Reflecting on the past.'

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

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Tiden förflyter.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Tiden förflöt snabbt.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Tio år har förflutit.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Vi lever i det förflutna.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain the difference between 'gå' and 'förflyta'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'En timme förflyter.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Natten förflöt.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Hur mycket tid har förflutit?'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Det förflutna året.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Discuss a historical event using 'förflöt'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Åren förflyter.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Veckan förflöt.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'En tid har förflutit.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Glöm det förflutna.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Describe a slow day using 'förflyta'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Minuter förflyter.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Tiden förflöt tyst.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Har tid förflutit?'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Tiden förflyter obemärkt.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Tidens obevekliga förflytande.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Tiden förflöt.' What was the tense?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Tio år har förflutit.' How many years?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Det förflutna är borta.' What is gone?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Allt eftersom tiden förflyter.' What is the structure?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Dagen förflöt.' What passed?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Har tid förflutit?' Is it a question?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Låt tiden förflyta.' What is the verb form?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Det förflutnas vingslag.' What does it mean?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Sommaren förflöt.' Which season?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'En vecka har förflutit.' How long?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Tiden förflyter snabbt.' Speed?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Ett mörkt förflutet.' What kind of past?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Minuter förflöt.' What units?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'När tid har förflutit.' Meaning?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to: 'Det förflutna året.' Which year?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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