sköt

Sköt is a Swedish verb most commonly encountered as the imperative singular form of the verb sköta, meaning to take care of, look after, or manage. It is used to give a direct instruction, for example: Sköt om katten. The related verb sköta has several other forms, including present tense sköter, past tense skötte, and the supine skött. In compound tenses it appears in phrases such as har skött.

Beyond the imperative, sköta is used to describe regular care, maintenance, and handling of tasks, people, animals, and duties. It covers activities from caring for someone’s health or well-being to managing a job, a project, or household chores. The sense can be broad, ranging from practical duties to more routine or responsible conduct, such as sköta sina studier eller sköta affärer (to manage one’s studies or a business).

Common phrases include sköt om, as in Sköt om dig (Take care of yourself) or Sköt om katten medan jag är borta (Look after the cat while I’m away). The verb also occurs in expressions emphasizing responsibility or proper conduct, for example att sköta sina åtaganden (to take care of one’s commitments). In everyday usage, sköta conveys a sense of ongoing attention and responsibility rather than a one-time action.

Etymologically, sköta is a native Swedish verb with cognates in other North Germanic languages. The exact origins are dated and debated, but the word has long been integrated into standard Swedish usage to express care, maintenance, and management across various domains.