jobba

Jobba is a Swedish verb meaning “to work,” used primarily in informal speech. The infinitive is att jobba, and the verb is conjugated regularly in the present and past: jag/du/han jobbar (present); jag jobbade (past); jag har jobbat (present perfect). The noun with the same root, jobb, means “a job” or “employment.” In formal writing, the standard verb for work is arbeta, but jobba remains common in everyday language.

Usage and examples include everyday statements like “Jag jobbar idag” (I am working today) and “Jag måste jobba övertid” (I have to work overtime). The phrase “jobba på” means to keep working on something or to press on with a project (e.g., “Jag jobbar på ett projekt”). Jobba is versatile in colloquial Swedish and appears in many common expressions related to employment and activity. The related noun jobb is frequently used in headlines and advertisements to denote a job opportunity.

Etymology and cognates: Swedish jobba is a colloquial development linked to the noun jobb and belongs to the North Germanic language group. Related forms exist in nearby languages, such as Norwegian, where the verb is often jobbe, and Danish, where the related verb is jobbe or the standard arbd? are used in formal contexts as at arbejde. The precise origin of the Swedish form is not always clear, but it remains a staple word in everyday Swedish for talking about work and employment. Related terms include arbete (work) and arbete as a category of labor.