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B2 verb 16 min read

relatera

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips relatera in 30 Seconds

Explanation relatera in your Level:

At the A1 level, you probably won't use the word 'relatera' very much. Instead, you will use simpler words like 'berätta' (to tell) when you want to talk about something that happened. For example, 'Jag berättar en historia' (I am telling a story). You might also use 'förstå' (to understand) when you want to say you know how someone feels. 'Jag förstår dig' is the A1 way of saying 'I can relate to you'. At this stage, focusing on these basic verbs is more important. However, it is good to recognize 'relatera' if you see it, especially in its form 'relaterar'. Just remember that in its simplest form, it's about telling or understanding a connection. You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet. Just think of it as a fancy way of saying 'connect' or 'tell'. If you see it in a text, look for the word 'till' after it, which will help you know that someone is talking about a connection to something else. For now, stick to 'berätta' and 'förstå' in your own speaking, but keep 'relatera' in the back of your mind for when you reach a higher level. It's like a seed that will grow into a very useful tool later on in your Swedish journey. Learning to spot it now will make it easier when you encounter it more frequently in books and news later.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to use more descriptive language. You might encounter 'relatera' in simple news articles or graded readers. You should start to understand that 'relatera till' means there is a link between two things. You might not use it yourself yet, preferring 'tänka på' (think of) or 'höra ihop med' (go together with). For instance, instead of saying 'This relates to that', you might say 'Det här hör ihop med det där'. This is perfectly fine! However, you can start practicing 'relatera till' in simple sentences about your own life. 'Jag kan relatera till den här boken' (I can relate to this book) is a great sentence to try. It shows you are moving beyond the most basic vocabulary. You should also be aware that the word changes slightly in different tenses: 'relaterar' (now), 'relaterade' (before), and 'har relaterat' (has related). Don't worry about the formal meaning of 'telling a story' yet; focus on the meaning of 'connecting' or 'understanding'. If you can use 'relatera till' correctly in one or two sentences, you are doing great for an A2 level. It shows you are beginning to understand abstract concepts in Swedish, which is a big step forward. Keep an eye out for it when you listen to Swedish music or watch simple TV shows; you'll be surprised how often it pops up when people talk about their feelings.

At the B1 level, 'relatera' becomes a much more active part of your vocabulary. You should be able to use 'relatera till' to express empathy in conversations. When a friend tells you about a problem, saying 'Jag kan verkligen relatera till det' sounds very natural and shows a high level of social competence in the language. You are moving away from just 'understanding' to 'relating', which is more personal. You will also see this word used in more complex texts, like newspaper editorials or longer blog posts. You should be able to understand when a writer is relating one event to another. For example, 'Artikeln relaterar den höga arbetslösheten till den dåliga ekonomin' (The article relates high unemployment to the poor economy). You should also start to notice the adjective form 'relaterad' (related), as in 'en relaterad fråga' (a related question). This is very useful when you want to stay on topic but move to a slightly different point. At B1, you should also be careful with the word's formal meaning. You might see it in a book and think it means 'connect', but the context might show it means 'tell'. Being able to distinguish these nuances based on context is a key B1 skill. You are now at the stage where 'relatera' is a tool you can use to make your Swedish feel more nuanced and less like a direct translation from English. It's a bridge to the more academic and professional language you will need at the B2 level.

At the B2 level, which is where 'relatera' truly belongs, you are expected to use the word with precision in both spoken and written Swedish. You should be comfortable using it in its transitive, intransitive, and passive forms. In a professional presentation, you might say, 'Vi måste relatera vår strategi till de nya marknadskraven' (We must relate our strategy to the new market requirements). This shows you can handle abstract concepts and logical connections. You should also be able to use the passive form 'relateras till' correctly, which is a staple of academic writing. For example, 'Fenomenet kan relateras till flera olika faktorer' (The phenomenon can be related to several different factors). At this level, you should also be aware of the synonyms like 'anknyta' and 'förknippa' and know why 'relatera' might be a better choice in certain situations. You are no longer just using the word; you are choosing it for its specific nuance. You should also be able to handle the word in more complex grammatical structures, like relative clauses or as a participle. Your use of 'relatera' should feel effortless, whether you are expressing deep empathy in a personal conversation or discussing complex data in a report. This word is a key indicator of your ability to function in a Swedish-speaking environment that requires more than just basic communication. It shows a level of sophistication and an understanding of how Swedes structure their thoughts and arguments.

For a C1 learner, 'relatera' is a word you use to weave complex arguments together. You use it not just to show simple connections, but to explore the depths of relationships between ideas, histories, and social structures. You might use it in a phrase like 'att relatera något i dess historiska sammanhang' (to relate something in its historical context), which requires a high level of linguistic control. At this level, you are also expected to recognize the more archaic or formal use of 'relatera' as 'to tell' or 'to report' and understand why an author might have chosen it. You can use the word to critique art or literature, discussing how a work 'relaterar till den mänskliga existensen' (relates to human existence). Your vocabulary is now rich enough that 'relatera' is just one of many tools you have for showing connections, and you can switch between 'relatera', 'korrelera', 'härleda', and 'anknyta' with perfect accuracy. You also understand the cultural weight of the word—how 'relatability' is a value in Swedish society—and you can use the word to navigate subtle social situations. In writing, your use of the passive 'relateras' is flawless, and you use it to create an objective, authoritative tone. You are essentially using the language at a near-native level, and 'relatera' is a natural part of your intellectual and emotional toolkit. You can participate in high-level debates and use this word to anchor your points in a broader context, showing a deep understanding of the Swedish linguistic landscape.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'relatera' is complete. You understand every possible nuance, from its Latin roots to its most modern slang applications. You can use it in highly specialized academic fields, perhaps in a dissertation or a legal document, where the exact nature of the 'relation' is of paramount importance. You might use it in philosophical discussions, exploring how we 'relaterar till omvärlden' (relate to the world around us) in a phenomenological sense. You have a native-like intuition for when 'relatera' is the only word that will do, and when it would be better to use a more obscure synonym. You can play with the word, using it ironically or in complex metaphors. You are also fully aware of how the word has changed over time and can discuss its evolution in the Swedish language. For you, 'relatera' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile instrument that you can play with virtuosity. Whether you are writing a piece of high-level journalism, delivering a keynote speech, or engaging in a deep personal conversation, you use 'relatera' to create clarity, empathy, and insight. You can also spot the subtle differences between how a Swede uses 'relatera' and how a speaker of another Germanic language might use a cognate, showing a profound cross-linguistic awareness. You are, for all intents and purposes, a master of the Swedish language, and 'relatera' is a word that you use with absolute confidence and precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

relatera in 30 Seconds

Relatera means to connect things logically or to empathize with someone's experience based on your own.
It is a regular 'ar-verb' (relaterar, relaterade, relaterat) and usually takes the preposition 'till'.
In formal contexts, it can mean 'to tell' or 'to report', but this is less common in modern Swedish.
It is a key word for B2 learners to describe relationships between abstract ideas or data points.

The Swedish verb relatera is a versatile and essential word for any B2-level learner. At its core, it describes the act of establishing a connection or showing how one thing stands in proportion or relation to another. However, its usage has evolved significantly in modern Swedish, mirroring the English 'to relate.' In a formal or academic context, it often means to report or give an account of something, though this is becoming less common than its other meanings. More frequently, you will encounter it when discussing logical connections between variables or, most popularly in social settings, to express empathy or personal recognition of a situation. When you say you can 'relatera' to someone, you are saying that you understand their experience because you have felt something similar yourself. This emotional resonance is a key part of modern Swedish communication.

Logical Connection: Used to describe how facts, data, or events are linked to one another in a structured way.

Det är svårt att relatera dessa resultat till den tidigare forskningen.

In everyday conversation, the phrase 'jag kan relatera' (I can relate) has become a staple of youth culture and informal dialogue. It serves as a shortcut for 'I have been in that exact situation and I feel your pain/joy.' This usage is heavily influenced by English but is now fully integrated into the Swedish language. It is important to note that while 'relatera' can mean 'to tell' (as in relating a story), this is considered quite formal or even archaic in modern speech. If you want to tell a story, Swedes will almost always use 'berätta.' Therefore, as a learner, you should focus on the 'connect' and 'empathize' aspects of the word to sound natural. Understanding the context is vital; in a business meeting, 'relatera' will likely refer to data points, whereas at a coffee break (fika), it will refer to shared experiences.

Empathy: Expressing that one understands a feeling or situation based on personal experience.

Många ungdomar kan relatera till huvudpersonens osäkerhet i boken.

Furthermore, the word is frequently used in scientific and social science texts. Here, it functions as a bridge between a specific observation and a wider theory. For example, a researcher might relate a specific behavior to a certain environmental factor. In these instances, the word carries a weight of evidence and logical deduction. It is not just about a casual link; it is about a demonstrable relationship. This makes 'relatera' a high-frequency word in university-level Swedish. If you are planning to study in Sweden or work in a professional environment, mastering this word will allow you to describe complex relationships with precision. It allows for a level of abstraction that simpler words like 'handla om' (be about) or 'höra ihop med' (belong together with) cannot always capture.

Academic Usage: Establishing a formal link between data points or theoretical concepts.

Vi måste relatera de nya fynden till de existerande teorierna.

The nuances of 'relatera' also extend to how we perceive our place in the world. Often, it is used in discussions about identity and belonging. One might 'relatera' to a specific culture, a subculture, or a political movement. This implies a deeper connection than just 'liking' something; it suggests that the individual sees parts of themselves reflected in that entity. This makes the word powerful in sociological discourse. It is also worth noting that the word can be used transitively (relatera något) or with a prepositional object (relatera till något). The transitive use is more common in formal reporting, while the prepositional use is the standard for expressing connection or empathy.

Han försökte relatera sin personliga historia till den större nationella berättelsen.

Finally, the word 'relatera' is often paired with adverbs to add depth. You can 'direkt relatera' (directly relate), 'svårligen relatera' (hardly relate), or 'tydligt relatera' (clearly relate). These combinations are common in analytical writing. In conversational Swedish, you might hear 'verkligen relatera' (really relate) or 'totalt relatera' (totally relate), the latter being quite informal. By understanding these different layers—from the dry, logical connection in a laboratory to the emotional 'I feel you' of a friend—you gain a tool that is both precise and deeply human. It bridges the gap between the objective world of facts and the subjective world of feelings, making it a cornerstone of advanced Swedish vocabulary.

Jag kan verkligen relatera till hur det känns att flytta till ett nytt land.

Using 'relatera' correctly involves understanding its grammatical patterns, primarily focusing on the preposition 'till'. This word functions as a bridge. When you are the subject and you are connecting yourself to an idea or experience, the structure is almost always [Subject] + relaterar + till + [Object]. For example, 'Jag relaterar till din situation' (I relate to your situation). This is the most common way to express empathy. If you are using it in a more technical sense to connect two external things, the structure changes slightly to [Subject] + relaterar + [Object A] + till + [Object B]. An example would be 'Forskaren relaterar rökning till lungcancer' (The researcher relates smoking to lung cancer). Here, the subject is making a connection between two distinct variables.

Intransitive Use (Empathy): Focuses on the subject's ability to understand or identify with something.

Det är lätt att relatera till karaktärerna i den här filmen.

Another important grammatical aspect is the passive form, relateras. This is very common in academic and technical Swedish. It is used when the connection itself is the focus, rather than the person making the connection. For example, 'Sjukdomen relateras ofta till stress' (The illness is often related to stress). In this sentence, the agent (the person making the connection) is omitted because the relationship between the illness and stress is what matters. This passive construction is a hallmark of formal writing and is essential for achieving a B2 or C1 level of proficiency. It allows you to present facts objectively without centering yourself in the narrative.

Passive Construction: Used to describe relationships between concepts without identifying a specific person who connects them.

Dessa problem kan relateras till bristen på resurser.

In terms of tense, 'relatera' follows the pattern of the first conjugation group (ar-verbs). The present tense is 'relaterar', the past tense is 'relaterade', and the perfect participle/supine is 'relaterat'. Because it is a regular verb, it is relatively easy to conjugate once you know the root. However, the difficulty lies in the abstract nature of the objects it takes. You don't usually relate to physical objects (like 'I relate to this chair'), but rather to concepts, feelings, experiences, or data. This abstraction requires the speaker to have a good grasp of Swedish nouns and conceptual language. If you find yourself wanting to say 'connect' in a logical sense, 'relatera' is often a more sophisticated choice than 'koppla ihop'.

Hon relaterade händelsen med stor detaljrikedom.

In complex sentences, you might see 'relatera' used in subordinate clauses. For instance, 'Det finns många faktorer som man kan relatera till den ökande inflationen' (There are many factors that one can relate to the increasing inflation). Here, the relative pronoun 'som' acts as the object being related. This structure is common in news reporting and analysis. Mastering these patterns—knowing when to use 'till', when to use the passive 'relateras', and how to use it in complex sentences—will significantly boost your fluency. It shows that you can not only describe things but also explain the relationships between them, which is a key skill for higher-level language learners.

Transitive Use (Logical Linking): Linking two separate entities or ideas to show their relationship.

Försök att relatera teorin till praktiska exempel.

Finally, let's look at the negative and interrogative forms. 'Kan du relatera till detta?' (Can you relate to this?) is a common question to check for understanding or shared experience. In the negative, 'Jag kan inte relatera till hans beteende' (I cannot relate to his behavior) expresses a lack of understanding or a moral/emotional distance. This is a powerful way to express disagreement or alienation. Because the word is so tied to identity and shared experience, using it in the negative can carry a strong emotional weight. It's not just that you don't understand; it's that there is no common ground between you and the subject.

Det är svårt för en utomstående att relatera till gruppens interna skämt.

If you spend time in Sweden or consume Swedish media, you will hear 'relatera' in a surprisingly wide range of environments. In the world of social media—Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter—the word is everywhere. Memes often carry the caption 'Relaterbart' (Relatable) or 'Vem kan relatera?' (Who can relate?). In these contexts, it is used to highlight common frustrations, like missing the bus or the awkwardness of a first date. This usage is very informal and is a great way to engage with Swedish internet culture. It shows that you are 'med i matchen' (in the game) and understand the current lingo. It has replaced older, more cumbersome ways of saying 'I know what you mean.'

Social Media & Youth Culture: Used as a quick way to express shared experiences or 'vibes'.

Den här videon är så relaterbar för alla småbarnsföräldrar!

In a professional or academic setting, the tone shifts. You will hear professors, journalists, and analysts use 'relatera' when they are trying to provide context for a story or a data point. On the news program 'Rapport' or 'Aktuellt', a reporter might say, 'För att relatera till gårdagens nyheter...' (To relate to yesterday's news...). Here, it serves as a cohesive device, helping the listener follow the thread of a complex narrative. It is also a favorite word in the 'humaniora' (humanities) departments of Swedish universities. Students of literature, sociology, and psychology use it constantly to discuss how texts or social phenomena relate to one another or to the human condition.

Professional/Academic: Used to provide context and show logical progression in a discussion.

Vi måste relatera den här händelsen till den historiska kontexten.

Therapy and personal development are other areas where 'relatera' is high-frequency. In a Swedish 'samtalsterapi' (talk therapy) session, a therapist might ask, 'Hur relaterar du till din pappa?' (How do you relate to your father?). In this sense, 'relatera' is about the nature of a relationship and the emotional dynamics involved. It is a very useful word for discussing feelings and interpersonal connections without using overly clinical language. Similarly, in podcasts about lifestyle and mental health—which are extremely popular in Sweden—you will hear hosts and guests 'relatera' to each other's struggles with stress, burnout, or relationships. It is a word that builds bridges between people.

Jag har svårt att relatera till mina kollegor på ett personligt plan.

Finally, you will find it in literature and film reviews. A critic might write that a book is hard to 'relatera' to because the characters are too one-dimensional, or that a movie is powerful because it 'relaterar' to a universal human experience. This usage combines the aesthetic with the emotional. It suggests that for art to be successful in the Swedish context, it often needs to be relatable. This cultural emphasis on 'relatability' makes the word central to how Swedes discuss and evaluate culture. Whether you are scrolling through TikTok, writing a university essay, or discussing a movie over coffee, 'relatera' is a word that will help you express deep and meaningful connections.

Critical/Artistic: Used to evaluate how well a piece of art connects with its audience.

Kritikern menade att publiken inte kunde relatera till filmens tema.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 'relatera' is forgetting the preposition 'till'. In English, you 'relate to' something, and in Swedish, you must 'relatera till' something. Saying 'Jag relaterar det' when you mean 'I relate to it' sounds like you are trying to tell a story about it, which is likely not what you intended. This mistake is particularly common because the transitive use (without 'till') does exist in Swedish, but it has a completely different meaning (to report or to connect two things). Always remember: if you are talking about empathy or personal connection, you need that 'till'.

Missing Preposition: Forgetting 'till' when expressing empathy, which changes the meaning or makes the sentence sound incomplete.

Fel: Jag kan relatera din känsla. Rätt: Jag kan relatera till din känsla.

Another mistake is using 'relatera' when 'berätta' (to tell) or 'skildra' (to depict) would be much more natural. While 'relatera' can mean 'to give an account of', it is very formal. If you are just telling a friend about your weekend, using 'relatera' will make you sound like a textbook or a 19th-century academic. Swedish is generally a very direct and informal language in daily life, so choosing the most 'fancy' word can sometimes backfire. Stick to 'berätta' for stories and 'relatera' for connections and empathy. This distinction is crucial for sounding like a natural speaker rather than a translation machine.

Overly Formal Usage: Using 'relatera' to mean 'to tell a story' in a casual conversation.

Han relaterade vad som hänt på festen (Låter väldigt formellt).

There is also the risk of 'Swenglish'—assuming that because 'relate' and 'relatera' look the same, they function exactly the same in all contexts. While they are very similar, Swedish has other words that might be more precise. For example, if you want to say two things are 'related' as in 'connected', 'sammanhängande' or 'förknippade' might be better depending on the context. If you say 'de är relaterade' about two people, a Swede might think you mean they are family members (though 'släkt' is the correct word for that). 'Relaterad' usually refers to concepts, not biological relationships. Using 'relaterad' for family members is a direct translation error from English.

Swenglish (Family Ties): Using 'relaterad' to describe family relationships instead of 'släkt'.

Fel: Vi är relaterade. Rätt: Vi är släkt.

Finally, be careful with the word 'relativt'. While it comes from the same root, it is an adverb meaning 'relatively'. Some learners get confused and try to use it as a verb or a noun in ways that don't make sense. Similarly, the noun 'relation' is used for relationships between people or things, while 'släktskap' is for biological relations. Keeping these similar-sounding words straight is a challenge for B2 learners, but it's what separates a good speaker from a great one. Focus on the specific verb 'relatera' and its requirement for the preposition 'till' when dealing with empathy, and you will avoid the most common pitfalls.

Det är ett relativt vanligt misstag bland nybörjare.

To truly master 'relatera', you need to know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. A common alternative is anknyta. While 'relatera' is often about empathy or logical linking, 'anknyta' is more about 'connecting back' to something previously mentioned. You might 'anknyta till' a previous discussion. It feels slightly more formal and structured. Another close relative is förknippa, which means 'to associate'. You 'förknippar' (associate) the smell of cinnamon with Christmas. This is about mental associations rather than logical or emotional 'relating'. Understanding when to use 'förknippa' vs 'relatera' will make your Swedish much more precise.

anknyta vs relatera: Anknyta is used for referring back to something, while relatera is for general connection or empathy.

Jag vill anknyta till vad som sades tidigare i mötet.

Then there is sammanhänga (to be connected/coherent). This is often used to describe how different parts of a system or a story fit together. If things 'sammanhänger', they have a logical cohesion. You wouldn't use this for empathy, but you would use it for a scientific theory. For a more emotional connection, you might use sympatisera med (to sympathize with) or identifiera sig med (to identify with). 'Identifiera sig med' is stronger than 'relatera till'; it means you see yourself in the other person. If you 'relatera till' a character, you understand them; if you 'identifiera dig med' them, you feel like you *are* them in some way.

identifiera sig med vs relatera till: Identifiera sig med is a stronger, more personal form of connection.

Många läsare kan identifiera sig med huvudpersonens kamp.

In a formal reporting context, redogöra (to account for) is a great alternative to the formal sense of 'relatera'. If you are writing a report, 'redogöra för resultaten' sounds very professional. If you want to talk about how things affect each other, korrelera (to correlate) is the precise scientific term. 'Resultaten korrelerar med varandra' means they show a statistical relationship. Using 'korrelera' instead of 'relatera' in a science paper will earn you extra points for precision. Swedish is a language that rewards choosing the specific word for the specific context, so building this web of related terms is essential.

korrelera vs relatera: Korrelera is a technical, statistical term; relatera is more general.

Studien visar att de två variablerna korrelerar starkt.

Finally, don't forget härleda (to derive). This is used when one thing can be traced back to another as its source. You might 'härleda' a word's meaning from its Latin root. While 'relatera' shows a connection, 'härleda' shows a cause-and-effect or historical lineage. By choosing between 'relatera', 'anknyta', 'förknippa', 'identifiera', 'korrelera', and 'härleda', you can describe any type of connection with the nuance of a native speaker. This variety is what makes the Swedish language so rich and expressive at the higher levels of proficiency.

Man kan härleda ordet från latinet.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'relatera' entered the Swedish language in the 1600s, originally used in legal and academic contexts to mean 'to report'. The meaning 'to empathize' is a much more recent addition, influenced by English.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /rɛlaˈteːra/

US /rɛlaˈteɪrə/

Stress is on the penultimate syllable: re-la-TE-ra.

Rhymes With

planera fundera diskutera fungera placera notera leverera kopiera

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (RE-la-tera).
Pronouncing the 'e' like a short 'eh' instead of a long 'e:'.
Pronouncing the final 'a' like an 'er' (British influence).
Missing the rolled 'r' (if aiming for a standard Swedish accent).
Making the 'l' too heavy/dark.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate, but requires context to distinguish 'tell' from 'connect'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct use of prepositions and passive forms in academic contexts.

Speaking 3/5

Natural usage in conversation is easy once the 'relatera till' pattern is learned.

Listening 3/5

Common in podcasts and news, usually clear in meaning.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

koppla berätta förstå samband till

Learn Next

anknyta förknippa identifiera korrelera sammanhang

Advanced

kausalitet interdependens kontextualisera härleda applicera

Grammar to Know

Prepositional Verbs

Relatera + till (Jag relaterar till dig).

Passive -s form

Det relateras till (It is related to).

Past Participle as Adjective

En relaterad fråga (A related question).

Infinitive with 'att'

Det är svårt att relatera (It is hard to relate).

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

...eftersom jag inte kan relatera (since I cannot relate).

Examples by Level

Han kan berätta en bra historia.

He can tell a good story.

A1 uses 'berätta' instead of 'relatera' for telling stories.

Jag förstår vad du menar.

I understand what you mean.

A1 uses 'förstå' for simple empathy.

Det här är en viktig del.

This is an important part.

A1 focuses on simple descriptions of parts and wholes.

De hör ihop.

They belong together.

A1 uses 'höra ihop' for simple connections.

Berätta mer om din familj.

Tell more about your family.

Imperative form of 'berätta'.

Jag ser en koppling.

I see a connection.

Simple noun 'koppling' (connection).

Är du och han vänner?

Are you and he friends?

Basic relationship question.

Det här är min historia.

This is my story.

Possessive pronoun with 'historia'.

Jag kan relatera till den här boken.

I can relate to this book.

Introduction of 'relatera till' for simple personal connection.

Det är lätt att förstå henne.

It is easy to understand her.

Using 'lätt att' with an infinitive.

Filmen handlar om en ung man.

The movie is about a young man.

Using 'handlar om' to describe content.

Kan du förklara kopplingen?

Can you explain the connection?

Asking for an explanation of a relationship.

Jag tänker på min barndom.

I am thinking about my childhood.

Using 'tänka på' for mental association.

Vi pratade om våra erfarenheter.

We talked about our experiences.

Past tense 'pratade' with plural noun 'erfarenheter'.

Det här påminner mig om hemma.

This reminds me of home.

Using 'påminna om' for association.

Hon berättade vad som hände.

She told what happened.

Past tense 'berättade' with a subordinate clause.

Jag kan verkligen relatera till din situation.

I can really relate to your situation.

Use of the adverb 'verkligen' to strengthen the connection.

Artikeln relaterar till miljöproblemen.

The article relates to the environmental problems.

Using 'relatera till' to show a topic-based connection.

Det finns en relaterad fråga vi bör diskutera.

There is a related question we should discuss.

Using the past participle 'relaterad' as an adjective.

Han försökte relatera sina fynd till teorin.

He tried to relate his findings to the theory.

Transitive use: relating object A to object B.

Det är svårt att relatera till deras livsstil.

It is difficult to relate to their lifestyle.

Using 'svårt att' with 'relatera till'.

Många kan relatera till känslan av stress.

Many can relate to the feeling of stress.

Generalizing with 'många' (many).

Hur relaterar detta till vårt projekt?

How does this relate to our project?

Interrogative sentence asking for a connection.

Hon relaterade händelsen för polisen.

She related the event to the police.

Formal use of 'relatera' meaning 'to give an account'.

Vi måste relatera resultaten till den bredare kontexten.

We must relate the results to the broader context.

B2 focus on academic/professional context.

Dessa symtom kan relateras till kronisk trötthet.

These symptoms can be related to chronic fatigue.

Passive form 'relateras' is common at B2.

Det är viktigt att kunna relatera till olika perspektiv.

It is important to be able to relate to different perspectives.

Abstract concept of 'perspectives'.

Författaren relaterar karaktärens öde till samhällsutvecklingen.

The author relates the character's fate to social development.

Analyzing literature with 'relatera'.

Jag har svårt att relatera till hans sätt att resonera.

I have difficulty relating to his way of reasoning.

Relating to a 'way of reasoning' (abstract).

Studien relaterar kostvanor till hälsa.

The study relates eating habits to health.

Formal transitive use in a scientific context.

Det finns flera relaterade faktorer att ta hänsyn till.

There are several related factors to take into account.

Using 'relaterade' as an adjective in a formal list.

Han relaterade sin uppväxt med en viss ironi.

He related his upbringing with a certain irony.

Formal use of 'relatera' (tell) with a descriptive adverbial.

Man bör relatera fenomenet till den rådande tidsandan.

One should relate the phenomenon to the prevailing zeitgeist.

High-level cultural analysis.

Hennes argumentation relateras ofta till postmodernistisk teori.

Her argumentation is often related to postmodernist theory.

Passive voice in a theoretical context.

Det krävs en förmåga att relatera komplexa data till enkla modeller.

It requires an ability to relate complex data to simple models.

Focus on cognitive/analytical ability.

Rapporten relaterar bristerna i systemet till bristande ledarskap.

The report relates the flaws in the system to a lack of leadership.

Professional critique using 'relatera'.

Jag kan inte relatera till den typen av verklighetsfrånvänd politik.

I cannot relate to that type of out-of-touch politics.

Expressing political/moral distance.

Begreppet måste relateras till dess historiska rötter.

The concept must be related to its historical roots.

Historical/linguistic analysis.

Han relaterade utförligt sina iakttagelser från resan.

He related his observations from the trip in great detail.

Formal use of 'relatera' (report) with an adverb.

Det finns en inneboende svårighet i att relatera känslor till ord.

There is an inherent difficulty in relating feelings to words.

Philosophical/psychological reflection.

Diskursen relaterar till en bredare socioekonomisk problematik.

The discourse relates to a broader socio-economic problematic.

Very formal, academic vocabulary.

Det är vanskligt att relatera enskilda händelser till kausala samband.

It is risky to relate individual events to causal links.

Scientific/philosophical skepticism.

Texten relaterar skickligt det triviala till det sublima.

The text skillfully relates the trivial to the sublime.

Literary criticism at a high level.

Hur kan vi relatera vår existentiella ångest till den teknologiska utvecklingen?

How can we relate our existential anxiety to technological development?

Deep philosophical inquiry.

I sin analys relaterar hon maktstrukturer till språkliga mönster.

In her analysis, she relates power structures to linguistic patterns.

Sociolinguistic analysis.

Detta kan relateras till det som inom sociologin kallas för anomi.

This can be related to what in sociology is called anomie.

Citing specific academic terminology.

Han relaterade sina upplevelser med en nästan klinisk distans.

He related his experiences with an almost clinical distance.

Advanced descriptive use of 'relatera' (tell).

Vi måste relatera de etiska dilemman till gällande lagstiftning.

We must relate the ethical dilemmas to current legislation.

Legal/ethical professional context.

Common Collocations

relatera till

svårt att relatera

relatera fakta

direkt relaterad

relatera händelser

lätt att relatera

relatera till verkligheten

nära relaterad

relatera sina erfarenheter

kunna relatera

Common Phrases

Jag kan relatera.

— A common way to say 'I feel you' or 'I understand from experience'.

– Jag är så trött på regnet. – Jag kan relatera.

Relatera till sammanhanget.

— To put something into its proper context.

Du måste relatera citatet till sammanhanget.

I relation till...

— In relation to / compared with.

Huset är litet i relation till trädgården.

Det har ingen relation till...

— It has no connection to...

Hans kommentar har ingen relation till ämnet.

Svårt att relatera.

— Hard to relate / I don't get it.

Deras livsstil är svår att relatera till.

Relaterade kostnader.

— Costs that are connected to a specific activity.

Vi måste räkna med alla relaterade kostnader.

Vem kan relatera?

— Who can relate? (Common on social media).

Måndag morgon... vem kan relatera?

Relatera något till något.

— To show the connection between two things.

Försök relatera teorin till praktiken.

Något att relatera till.

— Something to connect with or use as a reference.

Barn behöver vuxna de kan relatera till.

Inte alls relaterat.

— Not related at all / off topic.

Det där var inte alls relaterat till vad jag sa.

Often Confused With

relatera vs referera

Referera means 'to refer' or 'to summarize', while relatera means 'to connect' or 'empathize'.

relatera vs reagera

Reagera means 'to react'. They sound similar but have completely different meanings.

relatera vs reflektera

Reflektera means 'to reflect'. You might reflect on something you relate to, but they aren't the same.

Idioms & Expressions

"Hänga ihop som ler och långhalm"

— To be very closely related or connected (usually people).

De två vännerna hänger ihop som ler och långhalm.

Informal/Idiomatic

"Dra alla över en kam"

— To relate everyone to the same standard/treat everyone the same (often unfairly).

Man kan inte dra alla ungdomar över en kam.

Neutral/Idiomatic

"Gå som en röd tråd"

— A theme that relates all parts of something together.

Ensamhet går som en röd tråd genom boken.

Neutral/Idiomatic

"Kasta ljus över"

— To relate new information that clarifies a situation.

Nya bevis kastar ljus över händelsen.

Formal/Idiomatic

"Hålla tråden"

— To stay related to the main topic of a conversation.

Det är svårt att hålla tråden när alla pratar samtidigt.

Neutral/Idiomatic

"Se skogen för alla träd"

— To fail to relate the details to the bigger picture.

Han är så fokuserad på detaljer att han inte ser skogen för alla träd.

Neutral/Idiomatic

"Knyta ihop säcken"

— To relate everything back together at the end of a project or talk.

Nu är det dags att knyta ihop säcken och avsluta mötet.

Informal/Idiomatic

"Ligga nära till hands"

— To be a very closely related or obvious thought/action.

Det ligger nära till hands att tro att han ljuger.

Neutral/Idiomatic

"Ha ett finger med i spelet"

— To be related to/involved in a situation secretly.

Jag misstänker att hon hade ett finger med i spelet.

Informal/Idiomatic

"Mellan skål och vägg"

— To relate something in private/confidence.

Det här säger jag bara till dig mellan skål och vägg.

Formal/Archaic

Easily Confused

relatera vs berätta

Both can mean 'to tell'.

Berätta is the everyday word for telling a story. Relatera is formal or specifically about reporting facts in order.

Kan du berätta (tell) en saga? Han relaterade (reported) händelserna för rätten.

relatera vs koppla

Both mean 'to connect'.

Koppla is more physical or direct (connecting wires, connecting ideas simply). Relatera is more abstract or emotional.

Koppla (connect) sladden. Relatera (connect/relate) teorin till verkligheten.

relatera vs anknyta

Both mean 'to connect' or 'link'.

Anknyta usually means to refer back to something already mentioned or established.

Jag vill anknyta (refer back) till vad som sades nyss.

relatera vs släkt

English uses 'related' for family.

In Swedish, 'relaterad' is for concepts. 'Släkt' is for family members.

Vi är släkt (we are family). Frågorna är relaterade (the questions are related).

relatera vs förknippa

Both involve associations.

Förknippa is about mental associations (A makes me think of B). Relatera is about logical or emotional links.

Jag förknippar (associate) gult med påsk.

Sentence Patterns

Jag kan relatera till [Noun].

Jag kan relatera till boken.

Det är [Adjective] att relatera till [Noun].

Det är lätt att relatera till filmen.

[Subject] relaterar [Object A] till [Object B].

Hon relaterar texten till sitt liv.

[Noun] kan relateras till [Noun].

Problemet kan relateras till stress.

Det finns en [Adjective] relaterad [Noun].

Det finns en direkt relaterad fråga.

Genom att relatera [Noun] till [Noun] kan vi...

Genom att relatera data till teorin kan vi se mönster.

[Noun] bör relateras i sin [Noun].

Händelsen bör relateras i sin historiska kontext.

Det råder en svårighet i att relatera [Abstract Noun] till [Abstract Noun].

Det råder en svårighet i att relatera etik till juridik.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in media, academia, and therapy contexts.

Common Mistakes

Jag kan relatera din känsla. → Jag kan relatera till din känsla.
You must use the preposition 'till' when expressing empathy. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete in this sense.
Vi är relaterade. → Vi är släkt.
In Swedish, 'relaterad' is used for concepts or things, not for biological family relationships.
Han relaterade en rolig historia på festen. → Han berättade en rolig historia på festen.
While 'relatera' can mean 'to tell', it is too formal for a casual party. 'Berätta' is much more natural.
Jag relaterar med det du säger. → Jag relaterar till det du säger.
The correct preposition is 'till', not 'med'. This is a common error influenced by other languages.
Det relaterar till vad vi pratade. → Det relaterar till vad vi pratade om.
Don't forget the 'om' at the end of the subordinate clause. The preposition 'till' belongs to 'relaterar', but 'pratade' still needs its own preposition.

Tips

The 'Till' Rule

Always pair 'relatera' with 'till' when you are talking about empathy or connecting yourself to an idea. It's the most common mistake for learners to omit it.

Professional Tone

Use the passive form 'relateras till' in reports to sound more academic. It shifts the focus from you to the facts you are presenting.

Family Matters

Don't use 'relatera' for family ties. Use 'släkt'. 'Vi är släkt' is the only way to say 'We are related' in a family sense.

Active Listening

Saying 'Jag kan relatera' is a great way to show a Swedish speaker that you are following their story and empathizing with them.

Identify the Meaning

When you see 'relatera' without 'till', check if it's being used as 'to tell' or 'to report'. This is common in older or very formal texts.

Internet Lingo

'Relaterbart' is your go-to word for commenting on memes or relatable posts in Swedish.

Avoid Repetition

If you've already used 'relatera', try 'anknyta' or 'förknippa' to keep your writing varied and interesting.

Stress the Middle

Remember the stress is on 'te': re-la-TE-ra. This rhythm is characteristic of many Swedish verbs ending in -era.

Relatera vs. Identifiera

Use 'relatera' for general understanding and 'identifiera sig med' for a deeper, more personal 'I am like them' feeling.

The Fika Word

At a fika, 'relatera' is a perfect word to use when discussing movies, books, or shared workplace frustrations.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'RELATE-ra'. It's like building a 'RAIL' (the 'rela' part) between two ideas so they can travel together.

Visual Association

Imagine two puzzle pieces clicking together, or a bridge connecting two islands. One island is 'You' and the other is 'The Story'.

Word Web

Koppling Samband Förståelse Empati Fakta Teori Vänskap Identifikation

Challenge

Try to use 'relatera till' in three different ways today: once about a movie, once about a friend's story, and once about a news article.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'relatus', the past participle of 'referre', which means 'to carry back' (re- 'back' + ferre 'to carry').

Original meaning: The original meaning in Latin involved bringing something back or reporting something.

Indo-European -> Italic -> Romance -> Latin (then borrowed into Swedish via French or German).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'relatera' to describe family; use 'släkt' instead. Using 'relatera' for family can sound like you are discussing them as scientific data points.

The Swedish 'relatera' is almost identical to the English 'relate', making it a 'true friend' for learners, but the Swedish use is slightly more formal in writing.

The phrase 'Jag kan relatera' is a common meme in Swedish internet culture. Academic texts in Sweden frequently use 'relateras till' to establish theoretical frameworks. Psychology podcasts in Sweden often use 'hur vi relaterar till varandra' as a central theme.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Academic Writing

Resultaten kan relateras till...
I relation till tidigare forskning...
Detta relateras ofta till...
För att relatera till teorin...

Social/Casual

Jag kan relatera!
Vem kan inte relatera till det?
Det är så relaterbart.
Jag har svårt att relatera.

Professional/Business

Hur relaterar detta till vår budget?
Vi måste relatera siffrorna till målen.
Relaterade utgifter...
Det är inte relaterat till ärendet.

Therapy/Psychology

Hur relaterar du till din barndom?
Att relatera till sina känslor...
Svårigheter att relatera till andra...
Ett sätt att relatera...

Literature/Art

Boken relaterar till samtida problem.
Publiken kunde inte relatera till pjäsen.
Ett tema som alla kan relatera till.
Konstnären relaterar färgen till formen.

Conversation Starters

"Kan du relatera till huvudpersonen i den här filmen?"

"Hur relaterar du till stressiga situationer på jobbet?"

"Finns det någon bok som du verkligen kunde relatera till när du var yngre?"

"Hur tycker du att vi ska relatera de här nya reglerna till vår vardag?"

"Är det lätt för dig att relatera till människor som har en helt annan bakgrund?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en händelse i nyheterna som du kan relatera till personligen. Varför känns den viktig?

Beskriv hur dina nuvarande intressen relaterar till vad du ville bli när du var barn.

Reflektera över en gång när du hade svårt att relatera till en vän. Vad orsakade avståndet?

Hur relaterar du din språkinlärning till dina framtidsmål? Skriv utförligt.

Välj ett svenskt ord (förutom 'relatera') och förklara hur det relaterar till din kultur.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, but it depends on the meaning. If you mean 'to relate to' (empathy or connection), you need 'till'. If you mean 'to tell' or 'to report' something, it is transitive and does not take 'till'. For example: 'Jag relaterar till dig' (I relate to you) vs 'Han relaterade händelsen' (He related/told the event).

No, you should use the word 'släkt'. For example, 'Vi är släkt' (We are related). If you say 'Vi är relaterade', it sounds like you are two data points in a study rather than family members.

Yes, 'relaterbart' is a very common adjective, especially in informal Swedish, meaning 'relatable'. You will often see it online or hear it in podcasts. For example: 'Det är ett mycket relaterbart problem' (It is a very relatable problem).

'Koppla' is more general and can be used for physical connections (like plugging in a lamp). 'Relatera' is more abstract and is used for intellectual or emotional connections. You wouldn't 'relatera' a lamp to a socket.

Yes, very much so. It is used to connect data to theories, results to goals, and current events to historical context. It is a very useful word for meetings and reports.

Yes, 'relateras' is very common in formal writing. 'Sjukdomen relateras till stress' (The illness is related to stress). This is a standard way to describe connections objectively.

It is almost always 'relatera till'. Using 'med' is rare and usually incorrect in the sense of 'relating to' something. Stick with 'till'.

The most natural way is 'Jag kan relatera' or 'Jag kan relatera till det'. In very informal settings, you can just say 'Relaterbart!'.

'Relaterade' is the preterite (past) tense. For example: 'Igår relaterade han sina upplevelser' (Yesterday he related his experiences).

Yes, it is perfect for that. 'Vi relaterar ökningen till den nya policyn' (We relate the increase to the new policy). It shows a logical link between two variables.