Var var du någonstans?

Sentence Discussions Swedish
#1
English Translation

Where were you?

Why is the word ‘någonstans’ used here? In English, we wouldn’t add the word ‘somewhere’ to the sentence.

Tack!

#2

You’re right about it being redundant, but it’s highly idiomatic. You can also see it written apart: “någon stans”.

#3

Is there a rule or guidance as to when you would add ‘någonstans’? I’ve seen it also being used in these other sentences from the corpus:

  • Var bodde du någonstans?
  • Hallå, var är vi någonstans?
#4

I can’t come up with a rule, but it’s informal, colloquial. It seems to give the question a bit more emphasis.

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#5

I definitely agree with @morbrorper . I don’t know any rules, but I use it whenever I really want to know a place or just to show my interest.

For me “Var var du någonstans?” shows a lot more interest than “Var var du?”

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#6

That already answers my question :slight_smile:

I imagine it like so:

  • If that obnoxious co-worker returns from vacation and you’re stuck with him in the elevator, you’d ask ‘Var var du?’ just to break the awkward silence.
    • You’ll go separate ways as soon as the elevator doors open and you don’t want him to begin elaborating on something you’re not interested in.
  • But if that awesome co-worker is back from vacation and you’re genuinely interested, you’d ask ‘Var var du någonstans?’
    • Because without ‘någonstans’ it could give the false impression that you don’t truly care, and you don’t want that to happen.

Thank you @morbrorper and @Fnirk1 for your answers :slight_smile:

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