Väntar

Väntar is the present tense form of the Swedish verb vänta, meaning to wait or to await. In everyday usage, väntar functions as an ordinary verb that describes delaying action until a future moment or expecting something to occur. It appears in sentences with various subjects, as in “hon väntar” (she waits) or “vi väntar på bussen” (we are waiting for the bus).

Etymology and relations: Vänta belongs to the Germanic language family and has cognates across the Nordic languages. In Swedish, väntar is related to Norwegian vente and Danish vente, and shares a common ancestor with the English verb wait. The exact historical development traces back to Proto-Germanic roots common to the Germanic verb for waiting or delaying.

Grammar and usage: Väntar forms the present tense for all persons (jag väntar, du väntar, han/hon väntar, vi väntar, ni väntar, de väntar). The simple past is vän­tade, and the past participle is väntat, used in perfect tenses such as har väntat. Väntar is frequently followed by the preposition på to specify what is being waited for, as in väntar på något (wait for something): “jag väntar på svar” (I’m waiting for an answer), “hon väntar på tåget” (she waits for the train). The phrase vänta och se (wait and see) is a common idiom. The imperative form is vänta, used for giving a direct instruction to wait, e.g., “Vänta här” (Wait here).

Related forms and nuance: Väntan is the corresponding noun meaning “the waiting” or “the expectation.” Väntar conveys patience or anticipation and can be used in both literal waiting and figurative senses, such as awaiting an outcome. The term is widely used in Swedish-speaking contexts, in conversation, journalism, and literature.