Swedish verbs with the meaning of mixing
I do a research on Swedish verbs with the meaning of mixing something. I struggle with some of words. There are two words 'blanda' and 'röra' which are usually used with prepositions, like 'om', 'ihop', 'samman'. Do these prepositions change the meaning of the verb with which they are used or they just specify the meaning? Can 'röra', for example, be used without a preposition equally to 'röra' with preposition? Also, there is a sentence about shuffling cards. Can we use 'röra' in this sentence? Or 'röra om'? I've heard that the word 'saka' can be used with cards but I couldn't find such sentences, can you create one?
1 answer
Disclaimer: Swedish native here, but no grammar expert.
Without the preposition, then in most contexts the verb blanda means mix. The verb röra can mean either move, stir, touch (physically or emotionally just as in English) or affect. You can more specifically use beröra and then it can only mean touch or affect.
It does depend on how you use them as well as the context. The prepositions do change the meaning of the verb.
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Blanda om = remix/reshuffle. Blanda kortleken = shuffle the deck. Blanda om kortleken = reshuffle the deck. No, you can't use röra here. Saka means discard/sacrifice but only in terms of card games. Jag tvingas att saka ässet = I am forced to discard the ace.
Röra om = stir. Pretty much a direct translation. Often stirring something physically but like stir it can also be used just as stirring things up metaphorically.
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Blanda ihop = usually means mix up (terms)/confuse. You could however also use it when mixing two things together physically.
Röra ihop = same meaning as blanda ihop. -
Blanda samman = mix together. When mixing two things together you usually use blanda. Though I don't think it's incorrect to say "röra samman" though.
And so on. There's also the noun röra meaning either "a mess" or a food dish where things are mixed.
I don't envy anyone trying to learn this language!
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