This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 preposition 10 min read

mot

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips mot in 30 Seconds

Explanation mot in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'mot' is primarily introduced as a way to describe basic physical direction. Imagine you are in a new city and someone is giving you directions. They might say 'Gå mot parken' (Walk towards the park). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the abstract meanings like 'opposition' or 'exchange'. Focus on 'mot' as the Swedish version of 'towards'. It is a 'vector' word—it shows where you are pointing or moving. You will also see it in very simple social contexts, like being 'snäll mot' (kind to) someone. This is a vital phrase because it uses 'mot' where English uses 'to'. Remembering this early on will save you from making mistakes later. Keep your sentences short: 'Tåget går mot Stockholm', 'Jag springer mot målet'. At this level, 'mot' is a tool for navigation and basic politeness. You should practice identifying 'mot' in public signs and simple announcements, especially at train stations or in shopping centers where directions are common. The key is to visualize the movement. If you can point your finger in a direction, you can likely use 'mot'. Avoid overthinking the grammar; just remember that 'mot' comes before the noun it points to, and it never changes its form.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand the use of 'mot' beyond simple physical movement. This is where you encounter 'mot' as 'against' in the context of sports and competition. You will see headlines like 'Sverige mot Norge' and understand that 'mot' here implies a contest. You also start to use 'mot' with a wider range of adjectives to describe behavior, such as 'trevlig mot' (nice to) or 'hjälpsam mot' (helpful to). A critical development at A2 is understanding the difference between 'mot' and 'till'. While 'till' is your final destination, 'mot' is the path you are on. You might be walking 'mot' the library but stop at a café before you get 'till' the library. You also start to use 'mot' in temporal phrases like 'mot slutet av veckan' (towards the end of the week). This adds a layer of flexibility to your Swedish, allowing you to speak about time and relationships with more nuance. You should also become comfortable using 'mot' with object pronouns like 'mig', 'dig', and 'oss'. For example, 'Han var elak mot oss' (He was mean to us). At this stage, you are building a foundation of common phrases that will make your Swedish sound much more natural and less like a direct translation from English.

By the B1 level, you are expected to use 'mot' in more abstract and idiomatic ways. You will encounter it in debates and discussions where it signifies being 'against' an idea or a proposal ('Jag är mot det här förslaget'). You also begin to see the word 'emot' more frequently and should start learning when to use it instead of 'mot', particularly in phrases like 'Jag har inget emot det' (I have nothing against it). B1 learners should also master 'mot' in the context of exchange and trade. If you are bartering or comparing values, 'mot' is the essential connector: 'Vi bytte erfarenheter mot nya kunskaper' (We exchanged experiences for new knowledge). You will also notice 'mot' appearing in more complex temporal and spatial metaphors, such as 'mot alla odds' (against all odds) or 'vända sig mot någon' (to turn against someone). At this level, your understanding of 'mot' should move from a simple preposition to a versatile tool for expressing contrast, resistance, and relative value. You should be able to read a news article about a legal case and understand that 'brott mot mänskligheten' means 'crimes against humanity'. Your goal is to integrate 'mot' into your argumentative Swedish, using it to define your stance in relation to others' opinions.

At the B2 level, your use of 'mot' becomes more sophisticated, incorporating it into professional and formal contexts. You will distinguish between 'mot' and 'gentemot', using the latter to describe formal relationships or obligations (e.g., 'vårt ansvar gentemot kunderna'). You will also encounter 'mot' in more technical or statistical contexts, such as 'risken mot nyttan' (the risk versus the benefit). B2 learners should be comfortable with the rhythmic and stylistic uses of 'mot' in literature and higher-level journalism. For example, using 'mot' to create a sense of dramatic tension: 'Han kämpade mot sina inre demoner' (He fought against his inner demons). You should also be aware of how 'mot' functions in phrasal verbs like 'ta emot' (receive) or 'ge emot' (to be reluctant), although 'mot' and 'emot' often blend in these cases. Your ability to use 'mot' to express proportion and comparison should be well-developed, allowing you to describe complex data or social trends. For instance, 'Antalet sökande mot antalet platser' (The number of applicants versus the number of spots). At this stage, you are not just using 'mot' to say where you are going; you are using it to define the very structure of your arguments and the relationships between complex concepts.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of the nuances of 'mot'. You understand the stylistic choice between 'mot' and 'emot' and can use them to convey subtle shifts in tone or emphasis. You are familiar with rare and archaic uses of 'mot' in legal texts or classical Swedish literature. You can use 'mot' in highly abstract philosophical or scientific discussions, such as 'materia mot antimateria' or 'determinism mot fri vilja'. C1 speakers use 'mot' to provide texture to their speech, employing it in complex idiomatic expressions without hesitation. You understand the subtle difference in 'mot' when it implies 'in the face of', such as 'mot bakgrund av' (against the background of / in light of). This phrase is essential for high-level academic and professional writing in Swedish. You also recognize when 'mot' is used to imply a contrast that is not necessarily a conflict, but a juxtaposition of ideas. Your command of the word allows you to navigate the most complex social and professional environments, where the choice of preposition can signal your level of education and cultural integration. You can identify and correct subtle misuses of 'mot' in others' speech and can explain the logic behind its various applications to less advanced learners.

At the C2 level, 'mot' is a tool you use with complete mastery and intuition. You can play with the word's multiple meanings to create puns, double entendres, or poetic resonance. You have a deep understanding of the etymological roots of 'mot' and how it relates to similar words in other Germanic languages, which informs your stylistic choices in high-level creative or academic writing. You are comfortable using 'mot' in every possible register, from the most colloquial slang to the most formal diplomatic language. You understand how the meaning of 'mot' can be modified by the surrounding sentence structure in ways that are almost invisible to non-native speakers. For example, you can use 'mot' to imply a sense of destiny or inevitability: 'Allt pekar mot en kris' (Everything points toward a crisis). You are also a master of the 'mot' compounds and phrasal constructions, knowing exactly when a prefix or a following particle changes the weight of the preposition. At this level, 'mot' is no longer a word you 'use'; it is a part of the linguistic fabric through which you perceive and describe the world. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can use the word to express the most delicate shades of meaning in any context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

mot in 30 Seconds

Mot is a preposition meaning 'towards' for direction and 'against' for opposition, making it a key word for navigation and competition in Swedish.
It is also used to describe behavior towards others (e.g., being kind to someone) and to indicate a trade or exchange of items.
Unlike 'till', which suggests a destination, 'mot' focuses on the orientation of movement, similar to the English word 'towards'.
In sports and legal contexts, 'mot' is the standard word for 'versus' or 'against', appearing in every match listing and court case.

The Swedish preposition mot is a multi-functional powerhouse in the Swedish language. At its most fundamental level, it describes a relationship between two entities in space, time, or opinion. Primarily, it translates to 'towards' or 'against' in English, but its utility extends far beyond these simple translations. When you are navigating through a Swedish city, watching a football match, or debating a political point, mot is the word that bridges the gap between the actor and the objective or opponent.

Directional Movement: In a physical sense, 'mot' indicates movement in the direction of a specific point. Unlike the word 'till' (to), which implies reaching a destination, 'mot' emphasizes the orientation of the movement. If you walk 'mot' a building, you are heading that way, regardless of whether you actually enter it.

Vi kör mot Stockholm nu.

Opposition and Conflict: When used in the context of competition or disagreement, 'mot' translates to 'against' or 'versus'. This is the standard word used in sports results and legal cases. It signifies a clash of forces or ideologies.

Sverige spelar mot Danmark i finalen.

Beyond physical movement and conflict, 'mot' is used in temporal contexts (towards the evening) and in exchanges (something in return for something else). This versatility makes it one of the most frequently used prepositions. It is essential for learners to distinguish between 'mot' as a direction and 'mot' as an opposition. Context usually provides the answer: if the object is a destination, it is direction; if the object is a rival, it is opposition.

Jag bytte min bil mot en båt.

Temporal Progression: When time is the subject, 'mot' suggests the approach of a specific period. It carries a sense of anticipation or gradual transition.

Det börjar bli kallt mot kvällen.

In summary, 'mot' is the linguistic glue for direction, opposition, exchange, and time. Its simplicity belies its deep integration into the Swedish psyche, representing both the path we take and the obstacles we face. Mastery of 'mot' allows a speaker to describe complex social and physical interactions with minimal effort.

Var snäll mot dina vänner.

Using mot correctly requires an understanding of its position within the sentence and the noun or pronoun that follows it. As a preposition, it almost always precedes its object. There is no inflection of the word itself; it remains 'mot' regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies. However, the nuances of its meaning change based on the verb it accompanies and the context of the interaction.

Directional Verbs: Verbs like 'gå' (walk), 'springa' (run), 'titta' (look), and 'peka' (point) are frequently paired with 'mot'. In these cases, it functions identically to 'towards'. It sets the vector for the action.

Han tittade mot horisonten med hopp i blicken.

Adjectives of Attitude: When describing how one person feels or behaves toward another, 'mot' is the standard connector. Adjectives like 'snäll' (kind), 'elak' (mean), 'trevlig' (nice), and 'ärlig' (honest) use 'mot' to target the recipient of the behavior.

Varför är du så arg mot mig idag?

In the context of 'against', 'mot' is used to describe resistance or opposition. This can be physical, like leaning against a wall, or abstract, like being against a law. The structure remains simple: [Subject] + [Verb] + mot + [Object]. If the object is a pronoun, it must be in the object form (e.g., mig, dig, honom, henne, oss, er, dem).

Han lutade sig mot väggen och väntade.

Exchange and Comparison: When comparing two things or trading them, 'mot' acts as the pivot point. It translates to 'against' in a comparative sense (e.g., 5 against 3) or 'for' in a trade.

Vi bytte våra biljetter mot bättre platser.

Finally, 'mot' is used in many fixed expressions where its meaning might not be immediately obvious from its literal components. For example, 'mot alla odds' (against all odds) or 'mot strömmen' (against the current). In these cases, the word functions as a conceptual barrier or direction that the subject is navigating. Understanding these patterns is key to sounding natural in Swedish.

De simmar mot strömmen för att nå sina mål.

The word mot is ubiquitous in Swedish daily life, appearing in everything from morning traffic reports to evening sports broadcasts. If you turn on a Swedish news station, you will hear it used to describe political opposition, weather fronts moving towards the coast, or economic comparisons. It is a word that thrives in environments of movement and contrast.

Sports and Competition: In the world of 'idrott' (sports), 'mot' is indispensable. Every match schedule lists teams 'mot' each other. Commentators use it constantly to describe defensive actions or offensive drives towards the goal.

Matchen mellan AIK mot Hammarby börjar klockan sju.

Navigation and Travel: Public transport announcements and GPS systems use 'mot' to indicate the destination or direction of a vehicle. On the Stockholm Metro (Tunnelbanan), you will hear 'Tåget mot Mörby centrum' (The train towards Mörby centrum).

Nästa tåg mot Alvik ankommer om två minuter.

In social interactions, you will hear 'mot' used to express attitudes. Swedes value 'trevlighet' (niceness), and discussions about social etiquette often involve being 'snäll mot' others. In workplace settings, 'mot' appears in performance reviews or feedback sessions, describing a person's attitude 'mot' their colleagues or 'mot' new challenges.

Vi måste ha en positiv inställning mot förändring.

Legal and Political Discourse: In the news, 'mot' is used to describe legal actions ('brott mot lagen' - crimes against the law) or political stances ('rösta mot' - vote against). It defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior and the friction of democratic debate.

De flesta i riksdagen röstade mot förslaget.

Whether it's the wind blowing 'mot' the trees or a person's stance 'mot' an idea, this word is the heartbeat of Swedish relational language. It captures the essence of movement and the friction of existence in a way few other words do.

Vinden blåser hårt mot ansiktet.

For English speakers, the primary challenge with mot lies in its overlap with other prepositions like 'till' (to), 'emot' (against/towards), and 'för' (for). Because Swedish prepositions don't always map one-to-one with English ones, learners often default to an English-style logic that doesn't quite work in Swedish.

Mot vs. Till: One of the most frequent errors is using 'till' when 'mot' is required for direction. 'Till' implies a completed destination, while 'mot' implies the direction of travel. If you say 'Jag går till dörren', you are going TO the door. If you say 'Jag går mot dörren', you are walking TOWARDS it.

Var snäll till mig.
Var snäll mot mig. (Correct)

Mot vs. Emot: Learners often wonder when to use 'emot'. While they are often interchangeable, 'emot' is more common when expressing reception (ta emot - to receive) or strong physical resistance. Using 'emot' for simple direction ('tåget emot Stockholm') sounds archaic or overly formal.

Hon tog emot gåvan. (She received the gift - 'mot' is rarely used here.)

Another common mistake is the confusion between 'mot' and 'för' in the context of exchange. In English, we say 'I bought it for ten dollars'. In Swedish, you can use 'för' for the price, but 'mot' is used when you are trading one specific item for another (bartering). 'Jag bytte min klocka mot en kniv' (I traded my watch for a knife).

Jag bytte den för en annan.
Jag bytte den mot en annan. (Correct)

Prepositional Overload: Sometimes learners add extra prepositions where 'mot' is sufficient. For example, 'mot till' or 'mot på' are never correct. 'Mot' stands alone as the bridge between the verb and the object.

Vi går mot centrum. (Not 'mot till centrum')

Finally, remember the object form of pronouns. 'Mot jag' is always wrong; it must be 'mot mig'. This is a basic rule, but under the pressure of conversation, it is a common slip-up for beginners.

De sprang mot oss.

Swedish has several words that touch upon the concepts of direction and opposition. Understanding the subtle differences between mot and its synonyms or near-synonyms is crucial for reaching a higher level of fluency. While 'mot' is the most versatile, these alternatives provide precision in specific contexts.

Emot (Against / Towards / Receive): As mentioned before, 'emot' is the closest relative to 'mot'. It is often used after a verb to indicate reception or a physical/emotional barrier. 'Ta emot' (receive), 'stå emot' (resist), and 'ha något emot' (have something against) are its most common homes.

Vi måste stå emot frestelsen.

Gentemot (Towards / In relation to): 'Gentemot' is a more formal and specific preposition. It is used to describe an attitude or a physical position directly opposite something. It carries a sense of 'vis-à-vis' or 'in relation to'. It is common in professional or legal writing.

Företagets ansvar gentemot miljön är stort.

In terms of direction, 'till' and 'åt' are common alternatives. 'Till' indicates a final destination, while 'åt' often indicates a general direction or for whose benefit something is done. For example, 'titta åt vänster' (look to the left) is similar to 'titta mot vänster', but 'åt' is more common for simple cardinal directions or relative positions.

Gå en bit åt det hållet.

Kontra (Versus): Borrowed from Latin, 'kontra' is used in academic, legal, or highly specific competitive contexts. It is less common than 'mot' in everyday speech but appears frequently in debates or when comparing two distinct theories or costs.

Fördelarna kontra nackdelarna vägdes noga.

Finally, the preposition 'vid' can sometimes overlap when describing being 'against' something in terms of proximity (e.g., standing by/against the wall). However, 'mot' implies a more active state of leaning or facing, whereas 'vid' is more about general location. Choosing the right word depends on the level of interaction between the subject and the object.

Ställ cykeln mot väggen.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Vi riktar skarp kritik mot regeringens beslut."

Neutral

"Han går mot stationen."

Informal

"Är du mot att vi drar nu?"

Child friendly

"Var försiktig mot blommorna."

Slang

"Helt mot, mannen!"

Fun Fact

The Swedish word for 'meeting' (möte) is a direct descendant of the same root as 'mot'. Every time you go to a 'möte', you are literally going 'mot' (towards) other people.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /muːt/

US /mut/

The stress is on the single syllable of the word.

Rhymes With

bot hot rot skot klot not fot kvot

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English word 'mote' with an 'oh' sound.
Making the 't' too aspirated (like 'mote-h').
Shortening the vowel too much so it sounds like 'mott'.
Confusing the vowel with 'u' (mut).
Softening the 't' so it disappears in connected speech.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it is short and consistent.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering not to use 'till' for behavior or 'för' for trades.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation of the long 'o' vowel needs practice for English speakers.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to hear in most contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gå till och vara snäll

Learn Next

emot gentemot motsats motstånd istället för

Advanced

kontra vis-à-vis i förhållande till oaktat

Grammar to Know

Prepositions always take the object form of a pronoun.

Han sprang mot *mig* (not 'jag').

Mot vs Till for direction.

Gå *mot* skolan (towards) vs Gå *till* skolan (to).

Use of 'mot' with adjectives of behavior.

Var rättvis *mot* alla.

Word order with 'mot' in questions.

Vem spelar vi *mot*?

The difference between 'mot' and 'emot'.

Jag har inget *emot* det (common fixed phrase).

Examples by Level

Bussen går mot centrum.

The bus goes towards the center.

Simple directional use of 'mot'.

Gå mot den stora röda dörren.

Walk towards the big red door.

'Mot' indicates the target of the movement.

Var snäll mot katten.

Be kind to the cat.

'Mot' is used with adjectives of behavior where English uses 'to'.

Vi springer mot skogen.

We are running towards the forest.

Indicates direction of travel.

Titta mot solen.

Look towards the sun.

Indicates the direction of gaze.

Han pekar mot berget.

He points towards the mountain.

Indicates the direction of pointing.

Tåget mot Malmö kommer nu.

The train towards Malmö is coming now.

Common usage in public transport.

Vi kör mot norr.

We are driving towards the north.

Used with cardinal directions.

Sverige spelar mot Norge ikväll.

Sweden plays against Norway tonight.

'Mot' used for competition/opposition.

Hon lutar sig mot väggen.

She is leaning against the wall.

Indicates physical contact/support.

Jag bytte min bok mot en tidning.

I exchanged my book for a magazine.

'Mot' used in the context of bartering/exchange.

Det blir mörkt mot kvällen.

It gets dark towards the evening.

Temporal use indicating an approaching time.

Är du mot det här förslaget?

Are you against this proposal?

Expressing an opinion or stance.

Vi satt med ansiktet mot vinden.

We sat with our faces towards the wind.

Indicates orientation.

Varför är han elak mot dig?

Why is he mean to you?

Adjective of attitude + 'mot'.

De kämpar mot klockan.

They are fighting against the clock.

Idiomatic use for time pressure.

Vi har inget emot att hjälpa till.

We have nothing against helping out.

Use of 'emot' in a common expression of willingness.

Bilen krockade mot ett träd.

The car crashed against a tree.

Indicates impact or collision.

De röstade mot den nya lagen.

They voted against the new law.

Formal opposition in a political context.

Priset är högt mot vad man får.

The price is high compared to what you get.

Comparative use of 'mot'.

Hon vände sig mot sin vän för stöd.

She turned towards her friend for support.

Both physical and emotional direction.

Vi bytte dollar mot kronor på banken.

We exchanged dollars for crowns at the bank.

Financial exchange.

Det är svårt att simma mot strömmen.

It is difficult to swim against the current.

Literal and metaphorical opposition.

Han var öppen mot nya idéer.

He was open towards new ideas.

Abstract attitude.

Vi måste agera mot klimatförändringarna.

We must act against climate change.

Using 'mot' to indicate a target of action.

Resultatet var 3 mot 1 till hemmalaget.

The result was 3 to 1 for the home team.

Used in scores/ratios.

Han kände en stark motvilja mot uppgiften.

He felt a strong reluctance towards the task.

Compound noun 'motvilja' related to 'mot'.

De stod vända mot varandra i tystnad.

They stood facing each other in silence.

Reciprocal orientation.

Läkemedlet är effektivt mot huvudvärk.

The medicine is effective against headaches.

Medical/functional opposition.

Vi rör oss mot en mer digital värld.

We are moving towards a more digital world.

Societal trend direction.

Hon har en skyldighet mot sina föräldrar.

She has an obligation towards her parents.

Moral/social duty.

Det var ett brott mot de mänskliga rättigheterna.

It was a violation of human rights.

'Brott mot' is the standard phrase for 'violation of'.

Mot bakgrund av detta beslutade vi att vänta.

Against the background of this, we decided to wait.

Formal introductory phrase 'mot bakgrund av'.

Hennes argument väger tungt mot kritiken.

Her arguments weigh heavily against the criticism.

Metaphorical weight and opposition.

De visade stor generositet mot de behövande.

They showed great generosity towards those in need.

High-level description of character.

Vi måste se sanningen i vitögat och agera mot korruption.

We must look truth in the eye and act against corruption.

Complex sentence with multiple prepositions.

Det var en kamp mot klockan för att rädda liv.

It was a race against time to save lives.

Idiomatic expression for urgency.

Företaget har en strikt policy mot diskriminering.

The company has a strict policy against discrimination.

Institutional stance.

Han kände en dragning mot det okända.

He felt an attraction towards the unknown.

Psychological direction.

Värdet har stigit mot slutet av året.

The value has risen towards the end of the year.

Temporal progression in a formal context.

Hela hans existens var en revolt mot konventionerna.

His entire existence was a revolt against conventions.

Philosophical/abstract opposition.

Mot alla odds lyckades de genomföra projektet.

Against all odds, they managed to complete the project.

Fixed idiomatic expression 'mot alla odds'.

Deras attityd gentemot omvärlden har hårdnat.

Their attitude towards the outside world has hardened.

Use of 'gentemot' for nuanced external relations.

Det är en avvägning mellan frihet mot säkerhet.

It is a balance between freedom versus security.

Nuanced comparison of abstract values.

Han strävade ständigt mot perfektion.

He constantly strived towards perfection.

Directional metaphor for ambition.

Varje andetag var en seger mot döden.

Every breath was a victory against death.

Poetic/existential opposition.

Deras lojalitet mot kungen var orubblig.

Their loyalty towards the king was unwavering.

Formal/historical usage.

Vi står inför ett vägskäl mot en osäker framtid.

We stand at a crossroads towards an uncertain future.

Complex metaphorical direction.

Common Collocations

vända sig mot

rösta mot

kämpa mot

snäll mot

mot slutet

mot alla odds

tåget mot

skydd mot

protest mot

byta mot

Common Phrases

Mot bättre vetande

— Doing something even though you know it is wrong or unwise.

Han gjorde det mot bättre vetande.

Mitt emot

— Directly across from something.

Han bor mitt emot parken.

Ta emot

— To receive or to resist.

Kan du ta emot det här paketet?

Stå emot

— To resist or withstand something.

Huset kunde stå emot stormen.

Gå mot rött

— To cross the street when the light is red.

Det är farligt att gå mot rött.

Vara mot

— To be against something.

Jag är mot krig.

Mot strömmen

— Against the flow or trend.

Hon vågar gå mot strömmen.

Sida mot sida

— Side by side (often used in a competitive or close context).

De sprang sida mot sida.

Mot väggen

— Against the wall (often metaphorical, meaning cornered).

De pressade honom mot väggen.

Mot horisonten

— Towards the horizon.

Skeppet seglade mot horisonten.

Often Confused With

mot vs till

'Till' implies reaching a destination, while 'mot' implies moving in that direction.

mot vs emot

'Emot' is often used for receiving or in specific idioms like 'ha något emot'.

mot vs för

'För' is for price, while 'mot' is for trading one item for another.

Idioms & Expressions

"Slå huvudet mot väggen"

— To try to do something that is impossible or futile.

Att försöka ändra hans åsikt är som att slå huvudet mot väggen.

Informal

"Mot alla odds"

— Against all expectations or probabilities.

De överlevde mot alla odds.

Neutral

"Ha något emot någon"

— To have a grudge or dislike for someone.

Har du något emot mig?

Neutral

"Simma mot strömmen"

— To act differently from the majority.

Han har alltid simmat mot strömmen.

Informal

"Vända kappan efter vinden"

— To change one's opinion to suit the current trend (often used as the opposite of going 'mot' the wind).

Han går aldrig mot vinden, han vänder kappan efter den.

Idiomatic

"Stånga sig blodig mot"

— To struggle intensely and unsuccessfully against something.

Hon stångade sig blodig mot byråkratin.

Informal

"Det bär mig emot"

— I am reluctant to do it; it goes against my grain.

Det bär mig emot att ljuga.

Formal/Literary

"Mota Olle i grind"

— To stop a problem before it gets too big (literally: to stop Olle at the gate).

Vi måste mota Olle i grind innan skulderna växer.

Informal

"Vara avig mot"

— To be unfriendly or reluctant towards someone.

Varför är hon så avig mot oss?

Informal

"Stå pall mot"

— To withstand or hold up against something.

Konstruktionen stod pall mot trycket.

Informal

Easily Confused

mot vs mott

Similar spelling and sound.

'Mott' is a noun meaning 'moth', while 'mot' is a preposition.

Ett mott flög in i lampan.

mot vs möt

Imperative of 'möta' (to meet).

'Möt' is a verb command, 'mot' is a preposition.

Möt mig vid stationen!

mot vs mått

Similar sound.

'Mått' means 'measure' or 'measurement'.

Vilka mått har bordet?

mot vs mod

Similar sound to non-native ears.

'Mod' means 'courage'.

Han har mycket mod.

mot vs mol

Phonetically close.

'Mol' is an intensifier used with some adjectives (e.g., mol tyst).

Det var mol tyst i rummet.

Sentence Patterns

Subjekt + går/kör + mot + plats

Jag går mot parken.

Subjekt + vara + adjektiv + mot + person

Hon är snäll mot barnen.

Subjekt + byta + sak + mot + sak

Vi bytte bilen mot en cykel.

Subjekt + vara + mot + förslag

De är mot den nya planen.

Mot + tidpunkt + verb + subjekt

Mot kvällen kom regnet.

Mot bakgrund av + substantiv + bisats

Mot bakgrund av krisen ökade priserna.

Substantiv + mot + substantiv + verb

Frihet mot säkerhet är ett svårt val.

Idiom + verb + subjekt

Mot alla odds lyckades hon.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high. It is one of the top 50 most common words in Swedish.

Common Mistakes

Var snäll till mig. → Var snäll mot mig.
In Swedish, personal attitudes use 'mot', not 'till'.
Jag går till dörren (when you only mean towards). → Jag går mot dörren.
'Till' implies you reach the door; 'mot' just means you're headed that way.
Jag bytte min bil för en båt. → Jag bytte min bil mot en båt.
'Mot' is used for bartering/exchanging items.
Han sprang mot jag. → Han sprang mot mig.
Prepositions must be followed by object pronouns.
Vi röstade förslaget mot. → Vi röstade mot förslaget.
The preposition must come before the noun it modifies.

Tips

Check the Pronoun

Always use 'mig', 'dig', 'honom', etc., after 'mot'. Never use 'jag' or 'du'.

Learn the Phrases

Memorize 'snäll mot' and 'elak mot' as single units to avoid using 'till'.

The Long O

Make sure to round your lips tightly when saying 'mot' so it doesn't sound like 'mott'.

Direction vs Destination

If you are still moving, use 'mot'. If you have arrived, use 'till'.

Trading

Think of 'mot' as a swap symbol (X) when trading items.

Sports Scores

When reading scores, 'mot' is always the middle word.

Professionalism

Use 'gentemot' in business emails to sound more professional when discussing clients.

Station Signs

Look for 'Tåg mot...' on platforms; it's the best way to see 'mot' in action.

Against the Current

Use 'mot strömmen' to describe someone who is a rebel or an individualist.

The Vector

Always visualize 'mot' as an arrow pointing from A to B.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MOT' as a 'MOvement Toward' or 'Meeting Opponents Together'. The 'M' and 'T' frame the direction and the target.

Visual Association

Imagine a large arrow (the word 'mot') pointing at a target. If the arrow hits the target, it's 'towards'. If the arrow is blocked by a shield, it's 'against'.

Word Web

Direction Against Towards Versus Exchange Approach Opposition Relational

Challenge

Try to use 'mot' in three different ways today: once for a direction, once for an opinion, and once to describe being nice to someone.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Norse 'mót', which meant a meeting or encounter. This root is shared with the English word 'moot' (as in a moot point or a meeting of elders).

Original meaning: A meeting or a coming together, which evolved into indicating the direction of that meeting and eventually opposition.

North Germanic / Indo-European.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that using 'mot' in an argumentative context can be very direct in Swedish culture.

English speakers often confuse 'mot' with 'to'. In Swedish, 'mot' is about the vector, while 'till' is about the destination. Also, remember that 'kind to' is 'snäll mot'.

The film 'Mot nya tider' (Towards New Times). The sports cry 'Alla mot alla' (Everyone against everyone). The phrase 'En kamp mot klockan' is a staple of Swedish action movie descriptions.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving Directions

Gå mot kyrkan.
Sväng mot höger.
Fortsätt mot bron.
Titta mot torget.

Social Situations

Var trevlig mot gästerna.
Jag har inget mot dig.
Var ärlig mot mig.
Visa respekt mot läraren.

Sports and Games

Vem spelar vi mot?
Vi vann mot dem.
Matchen mot Malmö.
Satsa mot målet.

Shopping and Trade

Byta mot en annan storlek.
Värdet mot priset.
Kvitto mot vara.
Byte mot kontanter.

Time and Weather

Mot kvällen klarnar det upp.
Det blir kallare mot vintern.
Mot slutet av filmen.
Vinden ligger mot land.

Conversation Starters

"Vad är din inställning mot den nya lagen?"

"Har du något emot att vi byter bord?"

"Vem tror du vinner i matchen mot Frankrike?"

"Brukar du vara snäll mot främlingar?"

"Har du någonsin simmat mot en stark ström?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en gång när du var tvungen att kämpa mot svårigheter.

Beskriv din väg från hemmet mot ditt arbete eller din skola.

Vad har du för åsikter mot användningen av AI i skolan?

Berätta om en gång du bytte något du ägde mot något annat.

Hur känns det när du går mot ett mål du har satt upp?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. Use 'mot' for 'towards' or when describing behavior (kind TO me). Use 'till' for reaching a destination.

Often yes, but 'mot' is more common for direction, and 'emot' is used in 'ta emot' (receive) and 'ha något emot' (mind/object).

Use 'mot'. For example: 'AIK mot Djurgården'.

No, prepositions in Swedish like 'mot' never change their form.

It means 'against all odds', used when something unlikely happens.

Rarely, but it can mean 'towards' a time, like 'mot slutet' (at/towards the end).

You say 'Jag är mot det' or 'Jag är emot det'.

No, use 'för' for prices. Use 'mot' only if you are trading one object for another.

'Mot' is more specific direction/target, 'åt' is more general direction or for someone's benefit.

With a long, rounded 'o' like 'moot' but with the tongue further forward for the 't'.