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B1 conjunction 11 min read

varken

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips varken in 30 Seconds

Explanation varken in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use 'varken' yourself very often, but you will start to see it in simple lists. Think of it as a way to say 'no' to two things at once. Instead of saying 'I don't like milk and I don't like juice,' you say 'I like neither milk nor juice.' At this stage, focus on the pattern: Varken [Word 1] eller [Word 2]. It is like a 'No-No' sandwich. For example: 'Varken kaffe eller te' (Neither coffee nor tea). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just recognize that 'varken' and 'eller' go together like a pair of shoes. If you see 'varken', look for the 'eller' that follows it. This will help you understand that both things mentioned are excluded. It is a very useful word for when you want to be very clear about what you do not want. Keep your sentences short and focus on nouns like food, colors, or simple activities.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'varken ... eller' to make your sentences sound more natural and less like a list of 'inte' (not). Instead of saying 'Jag kan inte prata engelska och jag kan inte prata svenska,' you can say 'Jag kan varken prata engelska eller svenska.' This makes you sound more fluent. You should also start noticing where 'varken' sits in the sentence. Usually, it comes after the verb (Jag har varken...) or at the very beginning (Varken du eller jag...). A2 learners should practice using 'varken' with common adjectives to describe things. For instance, 'Huset är varken stort eller litet' (The house is neither big nor small). This is a great way to describe things that are 'in the middle.' You should also be careful not to use 'och' (and) with 'varken'. Always use 'eller' (nor). This is the most important rule to master at this stage. Start experimenting with 'varken' in your daily diary or when talking about your hobbies and preferences.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'varken ... eller' with confidence in both speech and writing. You should understand that 'varken' is a negator and follows the same word order rules as 'inte' (not). This is especially important in subordinate clauses (bisatser). For example, 'Jag tror att han varken har tid eller pengar.' Notice how 'varken' comes before the verb 'har' in the 'att'-clause. This is a key B1 grammar point. You should also be able to use 'varken' to negate verbs and adverbs, not just simple nouns. For example, 'Han varken äter eller sover bra' (He neither eats nor sleeps well). At this level, you can use 'varken' to express more complex ideas, like neutrality in an argument or specific exclusions in a professional context. You should also be able to distinguish 'varken' from 'inte heller' and 'ingendera'. Remember: 'varken' needs a list, while 'ingendera' is a pronoun that stands alone. Using 'varken' correctly will significantly improve the flow of your Swedish and make your descriptions more precise.

At the B2 level, 'varken' becomes a tool for stylistic variety and precision. You should use it to handle multiple negations elegantly in complex sentences. B2 learners should be comfortable using 'varken' with more than two items (e.g., 'varken A, B eller C'). You should also be able to use 'varken' to negate entire phrases or infinitive constructions. For example, 'Varken att springa maraton eller att klättra i berg verkar särskilt lockande för mig.' (Neither running a marathon nor climbing mountains seems particularly tempting to me.) At this level, you should also be aware of the subtle difference in tone between 'varken' and 'inte ... eller'. 'Varken' often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic weight. You should be able to use it in debates to exclude various options or in academic writing to define the scope of a study. Your word order should be flawless, even in complex nested clauses. Pay attention to how 'varken' interacts with modal verbs and auxiliary verbs in various tenses.

At the C1 level, you use 'varken' with the nuance of a native speaker. You understand its rhetorical power in speeches and formal writing. You can use 'varken ... eller' to create balanced, rhythmic sentences that emphasize a complete lack of something or a total exclusion. For example, 'Det fanns varken hopp om bättring eller vilja till förändring.' (There was neither hope for improvement nor will for change.) You should be familiar with idiomatic expressions involving 'varken', such as 'varken fågel eller fisk' (neither bird nor fish), and use them appropriately in context. At this level, you can also manipulate word order for emphasis while still adhering to the strict rules of Swedish syntax. You should be able to recognize when 'varken' is used for dramatic effect in literature and be able to replicate that in your own creative or analytical writing. Your understanding of 'varken' should extend to its historical roots and how it functions as a structural pillar in the Swedish language's system of coordination and negation.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'varken' is total. You can use it in highly technical, legal, or philosophical contexts where precision is paramount. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how it relates to other Germanic languages. You can use 'varken' to navigate the most complex grammatical structures, such as those found in archaic texts or formal state documents, without hesitation. In your own writing, 'varken' is used not just for negation, but as a stylistic device to control the pace and focus of your prose. You can instinctively tell when 'varken' is superior to other forms of negation for achieving a specific tone. Whether you are translating complex English 'neither/nor' structures into Swedish or composing original high-level discourse, you do so with a natural feel for the language's internal logic. You can also explain the nuances of 'varken' to others, including its interaction with collective nouns and its role in maintaining clarity in sentences with multiple layers of meaning.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

varken in 30 Seconds

Varken means 'neither' and is always used with 'eller' (nor) in Swedish.
It negates two or more items in a single, elegant sentence structure.
It follows Swedish word order rules for negators (like 'inte').
Commonly used for preferences, descriptions, and excluding multiple possibilities.

The Swedish word varken is a correlative conjunction that translates to "neither" in English. It is almost exclusively used in the pair varken ... eller, which corresponds to the English construction "neither ... nor." This word is essential for B1-level learners because it allows for the expression of double negatives in a sophisticated, grammatically correct way without cluttering sentences with multiple instances of the word inte (not).

Grammatical Function: As a conjunction, varken connects two or more elements (nouns, verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses) that are both being negated. It serves as a negative coordinator, ensuring that the negation applies equally to all parts of the list.
Core Usage: It is used when you want to exclude two possibilities simultaneously. For example, if you don't like coffee and you don't like tea, you use varken to combine these into one elegant statement.

Jag dricker varken kaffe eller te.

I drink neither coffee nor tea.

In Swedish, using varken is considered slightly more formal or precise than simply using multiple negations. While you could say "Jag dricker inte kaffe och jag dricker inte te," it sounds repetitive and clunky. The use of varken streamlines the communication. It is a staple in both written literature and spoken Swedish when providing clear choices or definitive exclusions.

Han är varken glad eller ledsen.

He is neither happy nor sad.

The word is versatile and can negate various parts of speech. It can be used with adjectives (neither tall nor short), nouns (neither dog nor cat), and verbs (neither eats nor drinks). When negating verbs, ensure the word order follows the standard Swedish V2 rule if the varken-clause is the primary focus, though usually, varken appears after the finite verb in simple sentences.

Register and Tone: While common in everyday speech, varken is very frequent in legal documents, academic writing, and news reporting because it provides a clear, unambiguous exclusion of multiple variables.

Det finns varken tid eller pengar för detta.

There is neither time nor money for this.

Huset var varken för stort eller för litet.

The house was neither too big nor too small.

In summary, varken is the key to expressing dual negation efficiently. It signals to the listener early in the sentence that two options are about to be rejected, which helps with processing complex information. Whether you are describing a person's character, a lack of resources, or a neutral stance on a topic, varken is your go-to conjunction.

Using varken correctly requires an understanding of its relationship with eller and its position within the Swedish sentence structure. Because Swedish is a V2 (Verb-Second) language, the placement of conjunctions like varken can sometimes feel tricky for English speakers, though it generally follows a logical flow similar to "neither.")

The Correlative Pair: The most important rule is the pairing: Varken A eller B. You cannot use 'varken' alone to mean 'neither' in the sense of 'neither of them' (for that, you would use 'ingen av dem' or 'ingendera'). Varken must introduce the first of the two negated items.

Vi har varken sett honom eller hört ifrån honom.

We have neither seen him nor heard from him.

When varken is used to negate objects or complements, it typically follows the finite verb. In the sentence above, 'har' is the finite verb, and 'varken' follows the past participle 'sett' because it is negating the action/object complex. However, in simple present tense, it follows the verb directly: "Han äter varken kött eller fisk."

Negating Clauses: Varken can also be used to negate entire subordinate clauses. In these cases, it acts as a linker. For example: "Varken att han kom sent eller att han glömde boken spelade någon roll." (Neither that he arrived late nor that he forgot the book mattered.)

Varken du eller jag kan göra något åt det.

Neither you nor I can do anything about it.

Notice that when varken ... eller is used as the subject of the sentence, the verb remains in the singular or plural depending on the context, but Swedish is generally quite flexible here. Most importantly, 'varken' starts the sentence, and the verb follows the subject cluster, maintaining the V2 position.

Det var varken dyrt eller billigt.

It was neither expensive nor cheap.

One advanced usage involves using 'varken' with more than two items. While 'varken ... eller' is the standard, you can add more 'eller' for additional items: "Varken A, B eller C." This is perfectly acceptable and common in descriptive Swedish.

Positioning in Subordinate Clauses: In subordinate clauses (bisatser), the negation (varken) typically follows the subject, just like 'inte'. Example: "Jag vet att han varken har bil eller cykel." (I know that he neither has a car nor a bike.)

Resultatet var varken bra eller dåligt.

The result was neither good nor bad.

Mastering 'varken' is about mastering the rhythm of negation. It prepares the listener for a balanced exclusion. Practice by pairing opposites (hot/cold, rich/poor, yes/no) to get a feel for the structure.

In everyday Swedish, varken is a word that signals clarity and decisiveness. While it might sound formal in some languages, in Swedish, it is used frequently in casual conversation, especially when someone is being picky, descriptive, or making a neutral observation. You will hear it in various contexts from the dinner table to the boardroom.

The Picky Eater: Swedes often use varken when discussing preferences or allergies. If someone asks if you want milk or sugar in your coffee, and you want neither, you might say: "Jag tar varken mjölk eller socker, tack." It sounds polite and definitive.
The Weather Report: Sweden is famous for its unpredictable weather. You'll often hear people complain: "Det är varken sommar eller vinter ute!" (It's neither summer nor winter outside!) when the weather is in that grey, awkward in-between phase.

"Han är varken fågel eller fisk."

Literally: "He is neither bird nor fish." (An idiom meaning someone is hard to categorize or ambiguous.)

In professional settings, varken is used to define boundaries. A project manager might say, "Det här beslutet påverkar varken budgeten eller tidsplanen." (This decision affects neither the budget nor the schedule.) This usage is vital for clear communication in business Swedish, as it removes any doubt about what is excluded.

Filmen var varken spännande eller rolig.

The movie was neither exciting nor funny.

In Swedish literature and news, varken is the tool of choice for creating contrast. Journalists use it to describe political candidates who appeal to "varken höger eller vänster" (neither right nor left). This helps in categorizing complex social phenomena by what they are not.

Social Contexts: When Swedes are being diplomatic, they might use varken to avoid taking sides. "Jag vill varken säga ja eller nej just nu." (I want to say neither yes nor no right now.) It is a very 'Lagom' word—perfect for finding the middle ground by excluding the extremes.

Jag har varken tid eller lust att gå ut.

I have neither the time nor the desire to go out.

You will also find it in legal warnings or terms and conditions. "Varken företaget eller dess anställda ansvarar för..." (Neither the company nor its employees are responsible for...). Understanding this word is therefore crucial for navigating daily life in Sweden, from reading signs to participating in social gatherings.

Even though varken seems straightforward, it is a frequent source of errors for learners. These mistakes usually stem from two places: interference from English grammar and a misunderstanding of how Swedish handles double negatives.

Mistake 1: Varken ... och: This is the most common error. English speakers are used to 'both ... and' (både ... och). In Swedish, you must use 'eller' with 'varken'. Saying *'varken kaffe och te' is grammatically incorrect and sounds jarring to a native speaker.

Fel: Varken han och hon kom.
Rätt: Varken han eller hon kom.

Neither he nor she came.

Another significant hurdle is the "Double Negative" trap. In English, we say "I don't like neither..." which is technically incorrect but common in some dialects. In Swedish, varken already contains the negation. Adding inte makes the sentence illogical or overly complicated.

Mistake 2: The Double Negative: Avoid: *'Jag har inte varken bil eller cykel'. The correct way is: 'Jag har varken bil eller cykel'. If you use 'inte', you should use 'eller' without 'varken': 'Jag har inte bil eller cykel'.

Fel: Jag vill inte ha varken mjölk eller socker.
Rätt: Jag vill ha varken mjölk eller socker.

Mistakes also occur with word order in subordinate clauses. Remember that Swedish bisats-regler (subordinate clause rules) require the negation to come before the verb. Since 'varken' is a negator, it follows this rule.

Mistake 3: Word Order in Subordinate Clauses: Wrong: *'Hon sa att hon gillar varken kaffe eller te'. Correct: 'Hon sa att hon varken gillar kaffe eller te'. The negator 'varken' must come before the verb 'gillar' in the 'att'-clause.

Det är viktigt att vi varken glömmer eller förlorar hopp.

It is important that we neither forget nor lose hope.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse 'varken' with 'varken eller' (the idiom) and 'ingendera' (neither of the two). If you want to say "Neither of the two books is good," you should use "Ingendera boken är bra," not "Varken boken eller boken..." Varken is for listing different things, while ingendera is for choosing none from a set.

To truly master varken, you need to understand the family of words it belongs to and how it differs from its synonyms and opposites. Swedish has several ways to express negation and choice, and choosing the right one depends on the structure of your sentence.

Antingen (The Opposite): The direct logical opposite of 'varken ... eller' is 'antingen ... eller' (either ... or). They share the same structure but have opposite meanings. If you can use 'antingen', you can usually use 'varken' by just swapping the words to change from positive choice to negative exclusion.

Du kan välja antingen rött eller blått.

You can choose either red or blue.

Then there is inte heller (not ... either). This is used when a negation has already been established and you are adding another one. While 'varken' combines two things into one sentence, 'inte heller' is often used to link two separate thoughts or to agree with a negative statement.

Inte heller vs. Varken: 'Jag gillar inte kaffe. Jag gillar inte heller te.' (I don't like coffee. I don't like tea either.) Compare this to: 'Jag gillar varken kaffe eller te.' The latter is more compact and formal.

Jag har inte heller hört något.

I haven't heard anything either.

For referring to two specific items that were previously mentioned, Swedish uses ingendera (for 'en' and 'ett' words) or ingen av dem. This is different from 'varken' because 'varken' must name the items explicitly within the phrase.

Ingendera (Neither of them): If someone asks: 'Vill du ha äpplet eller päronet?' (Do you want the apple or the pear?), you answer: 'Ingendera' (Neither). You don't say 'varken'. Varken requires the list: 'Jag vill ha varken äpplet eller päronet'.

Ingendera av dem svarade.

Neither of them answered.

Understanding these distinctions will help you move from basic Swedish to a more nuanced, B2 or C1 level of fluency. By choosing 'varken' when appropriate, you demonstrate a command over Swedish sentence structure and a sophisticated ability to express exclusion.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Varken styrelsen eller revisorerna fann några oegentligheter."

Neutral

"Jag har varken sett eller hört något om det."

Informal

"Äh, det var varken bu eller bä."

Child friendly

"Du får varken godis eller glass före maten."

Slang

"Det är varken eller, liksom."

Fun Fact

The '-ken' part of 'varken' shares a distant historical root with the '-ther' in 'neither' and 'either', indicating a choice between two.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈvarkɛn/

US /ˈvɑrkən/

The stress is on the first syllable: VAR-ken.

Rhymes With

arken marken parken skarken snarken starken tarken varken

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' like an American 'r' (it should be a tip-of-the-tongue tap).
Making the 'a' sound too much like 'cat' (it should be more like 'father').
Over-emphasizing the second syllable.
Missing the hard 'k' sound.
Confusing it with the word 'vacker' (beautiful).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 'eller' pairing.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct word order in complex sentences.

Speaking 3/5

Natural to use but easy to forget the 'eller' rule.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation and rhythmic patterns make it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

inte eller och antingen både

Learn Next

ingendera vare sig dels ... dels inte bara ... utan även inte heller

Advanced

oavsett huruvida såvida inte icke desto mindre i synnerhet

Grammar to Know

The Correlative Conjunction Rule

Varken must be paired with eller to negate two items.

The V2 Rule (Main Clauses)

In 'Varken han eller hon kom', the subject cluster is 'Varken han eller hon', and the verb 'kom' is second.

Subordinate Clause Negation (BIFF-regeln)

In 'Jag vet att han varken äter eller dricker', varken comes before the verb.

No Double Negatives

Avoid using 'inte' with 'varken' in the same clause.

Multiple 'eller'

You can use more than one 'eller' for lists: varken A eller B eller C.

Examples by Level

Jag vill ha varken mjölk eller socker.

I want neither milk nor sugar.

Simple negation of two nouns.

Varken hunden eller katten är här.

Neither the dog nor the cat is here.

Varken used as the subject.

Det är varken varmt eller kallt.

It is neither warm nor cold.

Negating two adjectives.

Jag ser varken bussen eller tåget.

I see neither the bus nor the train.

Negating two objects.

Varken pappa eller mamma sover.

Neither dad nor mom is sleeping.

Subject negation.

Han äter varken kött eller fisk.

He eats neither meat nor fish.

Direct object negation.

Boken är varken ny eller gammal.

The book is neither new nor old.

Adjective negation.

Varken rött eller blått är min favoritfärg.

Neither red nor blue is my favorite color.

Negating subject complements.

Vi har varken tid eller pengar för en resa.

We have neither time nor money for a trip.

Varken used with abstract nouns.

Varken han eller hon ville gå på festen.

Neither he nor she wanted to go to the party.

Pronoun subjects.

Tröjan var varken för stor eller för liten.

The sweater was neither too big nor too small.

Using 'för' (too) with adjectives.

Jag kan varken sjunga eller dansa.

I can neither sing nor dance.

Negating infinitive verbs.

Varken Stockholm eller Göteborg är min hemstad.

Neither Stockholm nor Gothenburg is my hometown.

Proper nouns.

Det finns varken bröd eller smör i köket.

There is neither bread nor butter in the kitchen.

Existential 'det finns' construction.

Varken filmen eller boken var bra.

Neither the movie nor the book was good.

Negating two different types of media.

Han dricker varken vin eller öl.

He drinks neither wine nor beer.

Common dietary exclusion.

Jag vet att han varken har bil eller körkort.

I know that he has neither a car nor a driver's license.

Word order in a subordinate clause (varken before the verb).

Varken regeringen eller oppositionen höll med.

Neither the government nor the opposition agreed.

Formal political context.

Det var varken rätt eller fel att göra så.

It was neither right nor wrong to do so.

Moral/Ethical evaluation.

Hon ville varken bekräfta eller förneka ryktet.

She wanted neither to confirm nor deny the rumor.

Standard idiomatic phrasing.

Varken du eller jag kan lösa det här problemet ensamma.

Neither you nor I can solve this problem alone.

Subject pairing with 'eller'.

Huset var varken modernt eller gammaldags.

The house was neither modern nor old-fashioned.

Descriptive adjectives.

De har varken ringt eller skickat mejl.

They have neither called nor sent an email.

Negating compound tenses (perfect).

Varken maten eller servicen var särskilt bra på restaurangen.

Neither the food nor the service was particularly good at the restaurant.

Evaluative description.

Varken den ekonomiska krisen eller pandemin kunde stoppa företaget.

Neither the economic crisis nor the pandemic could stop the company.

Complex noun phrases as subjects.

Han visade varken glädje eller sorg när han fick beskedet.

He showed neither joy nor sorrow when he received the news.

Abstract emotion negation.

Beslutet fattades varken av styrelsen eller av chefen personligen.

The decision was made neither by the board nor by the manager personally.

Passive voice with agent negation.

Varken att arbeta övertid eller att ta med jobbet hem är en bra lösning.

Neither working overtime nor bringing work home is a good solution.

Negating infinitive phrases.

Det finns varken bevis för eller emot hans teori.

There is neither evidence for nor against his theory.

Negating prepositional phrases.

Varken han, hon eller någon annan visste vad som hade hänt.

Neither he, she, nor anyone else knew what had happened.

Using varken with more than two items.

Resultatet var varken bättre eller sämre än förväntat.

The result was neither better nor worse than expected.

Comparative adjectives.

Jag har varken lust eller ork att diskutera detta vidare.

I have neither the desire nor the energy to discuss this further.

Common B2-level idiomatic nouns (lust/ork).

Varken de filosofiska argumenten eller de empiriska data lyckades övertyga kommittén.

Neither the philosophical arguments nor the empirical data managed to convince the committee.

Academic/Formal register.

Han är en man som varken fruktar döden eller livet.

He is a man who fears neither death nor life.

Relative clause with 'som' and internal negation.

Varken i teorin eller i praktiken fungerar detta system som det ska.

Neither in theory nor in practice does this system work as it should.

Negating prepositional phrases for rhetorical effect.

Författaren lyckas varken fånga tidsandan eller karaktärernas inre liv.

The author succeeds neither in capturing the spirit of the times nor the characters' inner lives.

Complex verbal objects.

Det rör sig varken om en olyckshändelse eller om ett planerat brott.

It is a matter of neither an accident nor a planned crime.

Formal 'rör sig om' construction.

Varken ljus eller ljud trängde igenom de tjocka väggarna.

Neither light nor sound penetrated the thick walls.

Sensory negation in descriptive prose.

Hon kände varken hat eller kärlek, bara en djup likgiltighet.

She felt neither hate nor love, only a deep indifference.

Literary emotional description.

Varken genom hot eller genom mutor kunde han påverkas.

Neither through threats nor through bribes could he be influenced.

Rhetorical inversion for emphasis.

Varken den ontologiska statusen eller den epistemologiska grundvalen för påståendet har klargjorts.

Neither the ontological status nor the epistemological foundation of the claim has been clarified.

Highly technical academic language.

Han framstod som varken en hjälte eller en skurk, utan som en tragisk produkt av sin tid.

He appeared as neither a hero nor a villain, but as a tragic product of his time.

Nuanced character analysis with contrastive 'utan'.

Varken lagstiftningens bokstav eller dess anda tycks stödja en sådan tolkning.

Neither the letter of the law nor its spirit seems to support such an interpretation.

Legal jargon ('bokstav' vs 'anda').

Dessa fenomen kan varken förklaras med traditionell mekanik eller med kvantfysik.

These phenomena can be explained neither by traditional mechanics nor by quantum physics.

Scientific discourse.

Varken dåtidens ideal eller framtidens visioner förmådde skänka honom tröst.

Neither the ideals of the past nor the visions of the future were able to provide him comfort.

High literary style with archaic-leaning 'förmådde'.

Varken i den offentliga debatten eller i den privata sfären har frågan diskuterats tillräckligt.

Neither in the public debate nor in the private sphere has the question been sufficiently discussed.

Sociological analysis.

Konstverket äger varken formell skönhet eller konceptuellt djup.

The artwork possesses neither formal beauty nor conceptual depth.

Aesthetic criticism.

Varken förnuftet eller känslan kunde vägleda henne i detta avgörande ögonblick.

Neither reason nor emotion could guide her in this decisive moment.

Philosophical/Psychological abstraction.

Common Collocations

varken mer eller mindre

varken förr eller senare

varken till eller från

varken hackat eller malet

varken bu eller bä

varken tid eller lust

varken för eller emot

varken liv eller rörelse

varken för mycket eller för lite

varken slut eller början

Common Phrases

Varken eller.

— A short answer meaning 'Neither'. Used when someone gives you two options and you want none.

Vill du ha kaffe eller te? - Varken eller.

Varken mer eller mindre.

— Exactly that amount, no more and no less.

Det är sanningen, varken mer eller mindre.

Det gör varken till eller från.

— It doesn't make any difference either way.

Om du kommer nu eller senare gör varken till eller från.

Varken förr eller senare.

— Never before and never since.

En sådan talang har vi inte sett varken förr eller senare.

Varken bu eller bä.

— Neither one thing nor the other (often used about a vague opinion).

Han gav varken bu eller bä som svar.

Varken fågel eller fisk.

— Neither one thing nor another; hard to categorize.

Den här nya genren är varken fågel eller fisk.

Varken hört eller sett.

— Neither heard nor seen (completely out of touch).

Jag har varken hört eller sett honom på flera år.

Varken rätt eller fel.

— Neither right nor wrong.

I den här situationen finns det varken rätt eller fel.

Varken rik eller fattig.

— Neither rich nor poor (middle class).

De var varken rika eller fattiga.

Varken ung eller gammal.

— Neither young nor old (middle-aged).

Mannen var varken ung eller gammal.

Often Confused With

varken vs vare sig

Often used interchangeably with varken, but 'vare sig' is more common in conditional or general negations like 'whether... or'.

varken vs vacker

Spelling/Sound confusion for beginners. Vacker means beautiful.

varken vs vaka

Vaka means to stay awake or keep watch.

Idioms & Expressions

"Varken fågel eller fisk"

— Something that doesn't fit into any clear category or is ambiguous.

Hans politiska åsikter är varken fågel eller fisk.

neutral

"Varken hackat eller malet"

— Something that is half-baked, indecisive, or neither here nor there.

Utredningen var varken hackad eller malen.

informal/colloquial

"Säga varken bu eller bä"

— To refuse to give a definitive opinion or take a side.

Chefen sa varken bu eller bä om min löneförhöjning.

neutral

"Varken till eller från"

— To have no effect or make no difference.

Ditt klagomål gör varken till eller från.

neutral

"Varken förr eller senare"

— Used to emphasize that something is unique or has never happened at any other time.

Varken förr eller senare har en svensk vunnit den tävlingen.

neutral

"Varken mer eller mindre"

— Used to emphasize that something is exactly as described, nothing else.

Han är en lögnare, varken mer eller mindre.

neutral

"Varken liv eller rörelse"

— Completely still or deserted.

På gatorna fanns varken liv eller rörelse.

literary

"Varken hopp eller förtvivlan"

— A state of emotional numbness or neutrality.

Han kände varken hopp eller förtvivlan längre.

literary

"Varken skam eller heder"

— To have no moral compass or sense of reputation.

Han har varken skam eller heder i kroppen.

formal

"Varken slut eller botten"

— Something that seems endless or infinitely bad.

Det var varken slut eller botten på hans historier.

literary

Easily Confused

varken vs Antingen

Both are correlative conjunctions starting with 'a/v'.

Antingen means 'either' (positive choice), Varken means 'neither' (negative exclusion).

Antingen kaffe eller te? vs Varken kaffe eller te.

varken vs Ingendera

Both mean 'neither'.

Ingendera is a pronoun (neither of them), Varken is a conjunction (neither A nor B).

Jag vill ha ingendera. vs Jag vill ha varken kaffe eller te.

varken vs Inte heller

Both express 'neither/not either'.

Inte heller is used to add to a previous negation; varken is used to list negations in one go.

Han kom inte heller. vs Varken han eller hon kom.

varken vs Vare sig

Very similar meaning and structure.

Vare sig is often used after a negation (e.g., 'Jag gillar inte frukt, vare sig äpplen eller päron'). Varken is used as the primary negator.

Jag äter varken kött eller fisk.

varken vs Ingen

Both negate things.

Ingen means 'no/none' and is used with nouns; varken is a conjunction for pairs.

Ingen mjölk. vs Varken mjölk eller socker.

Sentence Patterns

Jag har varken A eller B.

Jag har varken hund eller katt.

Det är varken A eller B.

Det är varken varmt eller kallt.

Jag tror att han varken gör A eller B.

Jag tror att han varken röker eller dricker.

Varken A eller B + verb.

Varken han eller hon kom till mötet.

Han visade varken A eller B.

Han visade varken rädsla eller tvekan.

Varken att verb eller att verb...

Varken att springa eller att simma är roligt.

Det rör sig varken om A eller B.

Det rör sig varken om tid eller pengar.

Varken A:s X eller B:s Y...

Varken lagens bokstav eller dess anda stödjer detta.

Word Family

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Swedish.

Common Mistakes

Varken han och hon. → Varken han eller hon.
In Swedish, the correlative pair for 'neither... nor' is 'varken ... eller'. Using 'och' (and) is incorrect.
Jag har inte varken tid eller pengar. → Jag har varken tid eller pengar.
Varken already contains a negative meaning. Adding 'inte' creates a double negative, which is incorrect in standard Swedish.
Hon sa att hon gillar varken kaffe eller te. → Hon sa att hon varken gillar kaffe eller te.
In a subordinate clause, the negator 'varken' must come before the finite verb.
Vill du ha kaffe? - Varken. → Vill du ha kaffe? - Varken eller.
As a standalone answer, you must use the full phrase 'Varken eller'.
Varken av dem kom. → Ingen av dem kom. / Ingendera kom.
Varken is a conjunction and needs a list. To say 'neither of them', use the pronoun 'ingen' or 'ingendera'.

Tips

The Pairing Rule

Always pair 'varken' with 'eller'. Think of them as inseparable partners in a negative sentence.

Subordinate Clauses

Remember the BIFF-rule: in a Bisats (subordinate clause), the negation (varken) comes Innan (before) the Finite verb.

Varken vs Ingendera

Use 'varken' when you name the things, use 'ingendera' when you just point to them.

Natural Flow

Don't overthink it—if you would say 'neither... nor' in English, 'varken ... eller' is almost certainly the right Swedish choice.

No 'Inte'

Never say 'inte varken'. It's like saying 'not neither'. Just use 'varken' on its own.

Be Precise

Using 'varken' makes your Swedish sound more organized and clear, especially in professional emails.

Listen for the 'V'

In fast speech, 'varken' can be quick. Listen for the 'V' at the start of a list to know negation is coming.

Learn the Classics

Learn 'varken fågel eller fisk'—it's a very common way to describe something weird or uncategorizable.

List Logic

When writing a list with 'varken', make sure all items are formatted the same way for better readability.

V for Void

Remember: Varken Voids the options!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'varken' as 'VAR-KEN'. 'VAR' is like 'where' (choice) and 'KEN' is like 'can't'. 'Where I can't' choose either option because I don't want them!

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing between two doors (one marked 'A', one marked 'B'). The person has their arms crossed and is shaking their head 'no' at both doors. Above them is the word VARKEN.

Word Web

varken eller negation neither nor antingen val inte

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about things you don't like using 'varken ... eller' today. For example: 'Jag gillar varken regn eller snö.'

Word Origin

From Old Swedish 'hvarken', related to Old Norse 'hvárki'. It is a contraction of 'hvar' (which/whether) and the negative suffix '-gi'.

Original meaning: Originally meant 'neither of the two'.

Germanic (related to German 'weder' and English 'whether' + negation).

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but be aware that 'varken' can sound a bit formal or cold if used repeatedly in a very emotional conversation.

English speakers often struggle with 'varken' because they want to use 'och' (and) instead of 'eller' (nor). In English, we say 'neither A nor B', but 'nor' is less common in casual speech than 'eller' is in Swedish.

The phrase 'varken fågel eller fisk' is used in many Swedish songs and books to describe people who don't fit in. Legal texts in Sweden frequently use 'varken... eller' to define the limits of liability. Swedish political debates often feature the word when candidates distance themselves from both 'höger' and 'vänster'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Ordering food/drinks

Jag vill ha varken mjölk eller socker.
Varken kött eller fisk, tack.
Det finns varken salt eller peppar.
Varken för varmt eller för kallt.

Describing people

Han är varken lång eller kort.
Hon är varken glad eller arg.
Varken han eller hon kom i tid.
Han är varken fågel eller fisk.

Work/Business

Vi har varken tid eller budget.
Varken chefen eller jag visste det.
Det påverkar varken priset eller kvaliteten.
Varken förr eller senare har vi sett sådana siffror.

Weather

Det är varken sol eller regn.
Varken sommar eller höst.
Det blåser varken mycket eller lite.
Varken snö eller is på vägarna.

Opinions

Jag är varken för eller emot.
Det var varken bra eller dåligt.
Varken bu eller bä.
Varken mer eller mindre.

Conversation Starters

"Vad gillar du varken att äta eller dricka?"

"Finns det någon film som var varken spännande eller rolig?"

"Är du varken morgonmänniska eller kvällsmänniska?"

"Vilket land vill du varken besöka på sommaren eller vintern?"

"Finns det något ämne du varken gillar eller ogillar?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en dag när vädret var varken bra eller dåligt. Hur kändes det?

Beskriv en person du känner som är varken för gammal eller för ung för sitt jobb.

Reflektera över ett beslut du fattat som varken var rätt eller fel vid den tidpunkten.

Lista tre saker du varken kan eller vill göra under helgen.

Skriv om en bok eller film som var 'varken fågel eller fisk'. Varför?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. 'Varken' is a correlative conjunction and requires 'eller' to complete the 'neither... nor' structure. If you want to say 'neither' as a standalone answer, you say 'Varken eller'.

It is always 'varken ... eller'. Using 'och' is a common mistake influenced by the English 'both ... and' or 'neither ... and' (which is also wrong in English).

In a main clause, it usually follows the finite verb (e.g., 'Jag har varken...'). In a subordinate clause, it comes before the verb (e.g., '...att jag varken har...').

Yes, you can. You just add more 'eller' for each item: 'Varken A, B eller C'. This is common in descriptive writing.

'Varken' is a conjunction used with a list (neither A nor B). 'Ingendera' is a pronoun used to refer to two things already mentioned (neither of them).

In Swedish, 'varken' is the negation. You should not use 'inte' in the same clause as 'varken' because it would create a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect.

Yes, it can. For example: 'Varken du eller jag vet sanningen.' In this case, it is part of the subject cluster.

It is neutral but can sound more precise or formal than using 'inte ... eller'. It is very common in all registers of Swedish.

It is pronounced VAR-ken, with the stress on the first syllable. The 'v' is like English 'v', and the 'r' is a light tap.

Yes, historically they share a root related to choosing between two options, but 'varken' has the negation built-in.