istället

Istället is a Swedish adverb meaning "instead" or "in its place." It signals substitution or a preferred alternative relative to what was mentioned or expected. The word can stand alone to indicate a change of plan or be used in constructions that introduce a different option.

Etymology and form: Istället comes from the phrase i stället, meaning "in the place." The definite form stället is derived from ställe meaning "place." In modern Swedish, istället is usually written as one word, though the two-word form i stället remains common in more formal writing.

Usage: As an adverb, istället typically follows the verb or appears at the beginning of a sentence. Examples: "Vi kunde gå till konserten, men istället åkte vi hem." "Istället för att vänta gjorde hon det direkt." "Vi åt frukost hemma istället för att gå till ett kafé." It can also introduce a full clause, as in the previous examples.

Istället för: The construction istället för is a common way to indicate substitution by a noun, noun phrase, or infinitive clause. Examples: "Vi åt frukost hemma istället för att gå till ett kafé" and "Hon valde att studera istället för att resa." The meaning remains substitution or an alternative action to what was originally planned.

See also: i stället (two-word form), and phrases using the same idea to express replacement or alternative choices in Swedish.