Meaning
Looking after someone or something.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'pyssla' is often related to 'sköta om'. It means to potter around and do small, caring tasks for the home or garden. In reindeer husbandry, 'sköta om' (or 'renskötsel') is a vital term for the year-round care and management of reindeer herds. The title 'Sjuksköterska' (Nurse) literally means 'Sick-carer', highlighting the nurturing root of the word 'sköta'. Urban gardening and 'gerillaodling' (guerrilla gardening) have made 'sköta om' a trendy verb among young city dwellers caring for shared green spaces.
The Stress Test
If you don't stress the 'om', it sounds like a different verb. Always punch the 'OM'!
Don't forget the 'om'
Saying 'Jag sköter hunden' sounds like the dog is your employee. Add 'om' for love!
Meaning
Looking after someone or something.
The Stress Test
If you don't stress the 'om', it sounds like a different verb. Always punch the 'OM'!
Don't forget the 'om'
Saying 'Jag sköter hunden' sounds like the dog is your employee. Add 'om' for love!
Reflexive use
Use 'sköt om dig' as a warm way to end an email or a phone call with friends.
Garden Pride
Complimenting how someone 'sköter om' their garden is a fast way to a Swede's heart.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing particle to complete the phrase 'to take care of'.
Jag måste sköta ___ mina blommor.
'Sköta om' is the fixed particle verb for taking care of something.
Which sentence is correct when saying goodbye to a friend?
How do you say 'Take care'?
You use the imperative form 'sköt' for commands or wishes.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
These are the most common objects for 'sköta om'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'sköta om'.
A: Vem ____ (present tense) om katten? B: Det gör jag.
The present tense of 'sköta' is 'sköter'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can you 'sköta om'?
Living Things
- • Blommor
- • Katter
- • Barn
Property
- • Huset
- • Bilen
- • Trädgården
Self
- • Hälsan
- • Sig själv
- • Huden
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJag måste sköta ___ mina blommor.
'Sköta om' is the fixed particle verb for taking care of something.
How do you say 'Take care'?
You use the imperative form 'sköt' for commands or wishes.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common objects for 'sköta om'.
A: Vem ____ (present tense) om katten? B: Det gör jag.
The present tense of 'sköta' is 'sköter'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsAlmost! 'Sköta om' is more about regular maintenance and nurturing, while 'ta hand om' is broader and can mean 'to deal with'.
Yes, if you mean cleaning it and keeping the software updated, you are 'sköter om' your computer.
Use the past tense: 'Jag skötte om'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Be careful! That means 'mind your own business'. It's very different from 'sköt om dig själv'.
Yes, 'sköta om en bebis' is very common for feeding and changing a baby.
Yes, 'skötsel' (maintenance/care) or 'omvårdnad' (nursing care).
In Swedish particle verbs, the particle (like 'om', 'ut', 'in') almost always carries the main stress.
Yes, especially if the friend is going through a hard time or is sick.
The closest opposite is 'missköta' (to neglect or mishandle).
No, because 'sköta sitt jobb' means 'to do/handle one's job', not to nurture it.
Yes, many Swedish songs about love and nature use this phrase.
Related Phrases
Ta hand om
synonymTo take care of / handle
Se efter
similarTo look after / check on
Vårda
specialized formTo nurse / cherish
Underhålla
similarTo maintain / entertain
Passa
similarTo watch / babysit
