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Say it in Swedish

I or På?

The basic difference between i and på

and are two of the most common Swedish prepositions, and both can correspond to English in, on, or at depending on the context.

The basic physical distinction is fairly simple.

I

is typically used when something is understood as being inside or surrounded by something else.

Maten är i kylskåpet.The food is in the fridge.

På

is typically used when something is understood as being on a surface or attached to it.

Boken ligger på bordet.The book is on the table.

When in doubt

Whether you choose i or på sometimes depends on how you see things. Compare the following examples:

Han sitter i stolen.He is sitting in the chair.

Han sitter på stolen.He is sitting on the chair.

presents the chair more as something surrounding him, for instance, when it has big armrests, while presents it more as a surface he is sitting on.

Places and institutions

Swedish also uses conventionally with many places and institutions.

Hon är på biblioteket.She is at the library.

Han jobbar på universitetet.He works at the university.

The same examples can be used with , but the focus is on the actual building rather than the institution.

Hon är i biblioteket.She is in the library.

Jag är i universitetet.I am in the university.

These examples are also often expressed with or , which would roughly translate as inside at.

This can also be confusing when a brand can be seen as the institution, but the kind of institution would take : Jag är på Ica.(I am at Ica.) Jag är i affären.(I am in the store.)

Other places just use conventionally.

Barnen är i skolan.The children are at school.

Hon är i kyrkan.She is in church.