skådespelare
/²skoːdɛspeːlarɛ/common gender
The Swedish word for actor is skådespelare. Wiktionary also lists skådespelerska and aktör.
Meaning: dramatic performer (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| skådespelare | /²skoːdɛspeːlarɛ/ | common gender |
| skådespelerska | common gender, feminine | |
| aktör | common gender | |
| aktris | common gender, feminine |
The standard and most common term for a dramatic performer is skådespelare. If you wish to emphasize that the performer works specifically in a theater, you can use Teaterskådespelare.
Which one should you use?
While skådespelare refers to a dramatic performer, aktör is often used in a more abstract or political sense to mean an 'actor' or 'agent' in a situation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain university and student contexts, particularly in Uppsala and Lund, the term spexare is used for actors involved in comedic or satirical theater performances.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word skådespelare is a common-gender noun. The plural form of skådespelare remains skådespelare.
How do you pronounce it?
/²skoːdɛspeːlarɛ/
Did you know?
- The term skådespelare is built from the words for 'look' and 'play', literally meaning a 'spectacle-player'.
- The suffix -erska in skådespelerska is a traditional way to specify a female profession, though modern Swedish increasingly favors the gender-neutral skådespelare for everyone.
- Although aktris is used for actresses, it is a loanword that mirrors the French and English influence rather than the native Germanic roots of skådespelare.
Examples in context
- Är du skådespelare eller inte?Are you an actor or not?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is an actor.Tatoeba #11907290 by herrsilen, translation #11904225 by CK
- Han blev en berömd skådespelare.He became a famous actor.This sentence is useful for describing someone who became a famous actor.Tatoeba #4310914 by richke, translation #304453 by CK
- Harry är en amerikansk skådespelare.Harry is an American actor.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as an American actor.Tatoeba #4407086 by richke, translation #471871 by blay_paul
- Han är en berömd skådespelareHe is a famous actor
- Hon är en fantastisk teaterskådespelareShe is an amazing theater actor
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Erik and Maja are discussing a new movie at a cafe.
- ErikÄr han en bra skådespelare?Is he a good actor?
- MajaJa, han är en fantastisk skådespelare.Yes, he is a fantastic actor.
- ErikJag vill också bli skådespelare.I want to be an actor too.
- MajaDet kan du verkligen bli, Erik.You could really become one, Erik.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “actor” translations and entries skådespelare, skådespelerska, aktör, aktris, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aktör, skådespelare, skådespelerska, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
