alltså

Swedish

Alternative forms

• asså (colloquial)

Etymology

Borrowed from Low German also. Compare allt and så. Cognate to Norwegian altså and altso.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈa(lt)sɔ/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adverb

alltså (not comparable)

1. therefore, thus, consequently

   Synonyms: således, följaktligen

   Han var skadad, alltså kan han inte ha gjort det

   He was injured, so he can't have done it

   Jag tänker, alltså finns jag

   I think, therefore I am

2. that is, that is to say, (by being synonymous with that is in some cases) in other words, I mean

   Jag har en golden retriever, alltså en hund

   I have a golden retriever. A dog, that is to say.

   Har du snackat med honom? Han du sa att du skulle snacka med igår alltså.

   Have you talked to him? The guy you said you were going to talk to yesterday, that is / I mean.

4. A filler, often with a somewhat intensifying effect.

   Den där älgen är bra stor alltså!

   That moose is quite a big one (it is)!

   Vilket team vi är alltså!

   What a team we are (filler)!

   Alltså, vi borde städa garaget

   (I mean,) we (really) should clean the garage

Interjection

alltså

1. (colloquial) An expression of exasperation.

   Alltså! Datorn funkar inte igen.

   Man! The computer's not working again.

2. (colloquial) An expression of disbelief.

   Alltså... jag kan höra henne snarka genom väggen

   I mean, wow... I can hear her snoring through the wall

Usage notes

The filler sense and the interjections can often be understood by thinking of alltså as marking a conclusion drawn from experiences rather than something said earlier in those cases.

References

• alltså in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• alltså in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• alltså in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)