Ways to say it
| Swedish | Note |
|---|---|
| bebis | common gender |
| spädbarn | |
| bäbis | familiar, alternative form |
| baby | common gender |
All forms of this word refer to a very young human being. While bebis is the standard term, you may also encounter spädbarn when referring specifically to newborns or infants in a more technical sense.
Which one should you use?
bebis is the most common way to say baby, whereas spädbarn is a formal or clinical term meaning infant. The word baby is a loanword from English and can be used similarly to bebis.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bebis is the standard, neutral choice. spädbarn is used in formal or clinical contexts. bäbis is a colloquial, 'cute' spelling or pronunciation often used when speaking to or about small children.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bebis is a common-gender noun. Its plural form is bebisar. When using the loanword baby in its definite singular form (to mean 'the baby'), you add the suffix '-n' to create babyn.
When do people say it?
When showing affection to a baby, speakers might use the term of endearment sötnos, which literally means 'sweet nose'. Another informal and affectionate way to refer to a young child or baby is knodd.
Did you know?
- While many English loanwords are adapted into Swedish, the word bebis is actually a direct phonetic borrowing of the English plural 'babies'.
- The word spädbarn combines späd, meaning 'tender' or 'fragile', with barn, meaning 'child'.
- When calling a baby cute, Swedes may use the word sötnos, which literally translates to 'sweet nose'.
Examples in context
- Tom är en baby.Tom is a baby.This sentence uses baby to identify someone as a baby.Tatoeba #10237334 by morbrorper, translation #2272755 by CK
- Vi matade just babyn.We just fed the baby.This sentence shows how to use the definite form baby with the word 'fed'.Tatoeba #2088426 by herrsilen, translation #1893792 by CK
- Spädbarnet log mot mig.The baby smiled at me.This sentence uses the formal term spädbarn to describe an infant smiling.Tatoeba #891714 by Tximist, translation #272361 by CK
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Linnea are looking at a photo of a newborn.
- LucasVem är den där söta bebisen?Who is that cute baby?
- LinneaDet är min systers bebis.That is my sister's baby.
- LucasHennes bebis ser så glad ut.Her baby looks so happy.
- LinneaJa, hon är en jätteglad bebis.Yes, she is a very happy baby.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries bebis, spädbarn, bäbis, baby, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bebis, spädbarn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
