måste

Måste is a Swedish modal auxiliary verb meaning “must” or “have to.” It expresses necessity or obligation and is used with the infinitive form of a main verb, as in Jag måste gå. The form is the same for all subjects, so it does not change with person or number.

Usage and nuance. Måste can indicate external obligation (rules, duties, laws) or internal necessity (a strong personal reason). It can also express deduction in the present, as in Det måste vara varmt ute (That must be warm outside). The distinction between necessity and deduction is important in context.

Syntax and grammar. Måste is placed before the main verb in its infinitive form. In questions, Swedish often inverts or uses intonation: Måste jag gå? In negation, inte follows måsta: Jag måste inte gå (I do not have to go). The construction var tvungen att is used to describe past obligation: Jag var tvungen att gå (I was forced/obliged to go). For past deduction, måste ha varit is common: Han måste ha varit där (He must have been there).

Relation to other verbs. Måste expresses stronger obligation than behöva (need to). While måste emphasizes obligation, behöva is more about lack of necessity or requirement. Phrases like måste ha varit or måsten to convey intensification exist but are less common in everyday speech.

Examples. Jag måste studera inför provet. Vi måste lämna nu. Du måste inte följa den här vägen alls. Vad måste vi göra härnäst?

See also. Swedish modals and modal verbs, the phrase var tvungen att for past obligation, and behöva as a related verb meaning “to need.”