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Lesson 2

Vocabulary

 

Nouns 2

In English, German and French e.g., the definite form of a noun is constructed by a definite article. The definit form of the noun table for example, is obtained by adding the - the table, German - Der Tisch, French - La table etc.

In Swedish, the definite form is obtained by attaching a suffix (ending) to the noun. The suffixes are -(e)n for common genders and -(e)t for neuters. The e is often dropped when the noun ends in a vowel.

Example:

    The noun sg. indefinite sg. definite
    book en bok boken
    girl en flicka flickan
    boy en pojke pojken
    rose en ros rosen
    house ett hus huset
    table bord bordet
    eye öga ögat

 

  • As you can see, you drop the e if the noun ends with a vowel. The same as to common gender nouns ending with an unstressed -r or -l.

Example:

    en 'djungel - djungeln
    en 'doktor - doktorn

  • Some neuters ending with an unstressed -er or -el drop their e preceding the r or t.

Example:

    ett 'fönster - fönstret
    ett 'kapitel - kapitlet (meaning chapter)

  • Some nouns double their last consonant so as to keep their pronunciation.

Example:

    ett rum - rummet

I will write the full forms when we come across a noun that differs from the rule.


Pronunciation

Nouns normally keep their stress in the definite form.

Example:

    *flicka - *flickan
    ho'tell - ho'tellet
    'bok - 'boken

Some more nouns

 

 Some prepositions

 

Some more verbs

 

Forming questions

In English, you often form a question by rewriting with do. That is NOT possible in Swedish. Instead, you reverse the word order (as in English Are you fine?). Often you use a question word as well.
 

Question words

 

Examples:

    Varifrån är du? Where are you from?
    Vad heter hon? What is her name?
    Vem är du? Who are you?
    Vilka är de? Who are they?
    Var bor du? Where do you live?
    Vart går du? Where are you going (to)?
    Varför gör vi så? Why do we do like that?
    Vilket land bor ni i? What country do you live in?
    Vilken stad bor ni i? What city do you live in?
    Köper du bollen? Do you buy the ball?

 

 Exercise - Translate the following sentences into Swedish

    Are you from Sweden?
    Does he love food?.
    Where is the house situated?
    How do I go to the station?
    Is there a shop here?
    I am from England.

    Click here for answers


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Last updated the 27th of March

Copyright Björn Engdahl 2008