verb
gräva
dig
Definition & meaning
The Swedish verb "gräva" primarily means to dig. It is used in several contexts:
- Physical action: To move soil, earth, or other material using a tool (like a shovel) or one's hands, usually to create a hole, trench, or foundation.
- Investigation: Figuratively, it means to search deeply or thoroughly into something, such as archives, memories, or a complex subject, to uncover information.
- Extraction: To remove something from the ground, for example, digging up potatoes or archaeological artifacts.
Grammar & Word origin
"Gräva" is a strong verb. Its conjugation is as follows:
- Infinitive: gräva
- Present tense: gräver
- Past tense (preterite): grävde
- Supine: grävt
- Imperative: gräv
Etymologically, it originates from the Old Swedish word "græva," which shares the same Germanic roots as the English word "grave" (in the sense of a burial place) and "grub."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Schakta (often used for larger, professional excavation)
- Gräva fram[?](vocabuo://word/gräva fram) (to unearth or excavate)
- Rotas (to rummage or search through something)
- Utforska (to explore or investigate)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Min vän vill gräva ett litet hål ute i trädgården.verb
My friend wants to dig a small hole out in the garden.
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