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verbverb

böja

bend

Definition & meaning

Böja means to bend, curve, or flex something, or to bend oneself.

  • Han böjde armen. — He bent his arm.
  • Hon böjde sig framåt. — She leaned forward.

In grammar, it also means to inflect a word: to change its form to express features such as tense, number, or definiteness.

Grammar & Word origin

Böja is a verb: böja – böjer – böjde – böjt.

It comes from Old Swedish bøghia, related to Germanic words meaning “bend” or “bow.” It is not normally divided into meaningful parts in modern Swedish.

Synonyms & antonyms

  • vika — “to fold”; usually suggests making a distinct fold rather than a gradual bend.
  • kröka — “to curve” or “bend”; often emphasizes a curved shape.
  • räta — “to straighten”; the opposite of bending something.
  • sträcka — “to stretch” or “straighten,” especially a body part.

Common phrases & collocations

  • böja sig — to bend down, lean, or submit.
  • böja knä — to kneel; figuratively, to submit.
  • böja ett verb — to inflect a verb.

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Examples

Kan du böja pinnen?verb

Can you bend the stick?

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