kanin
/kaniːn/
The English word "bunny" is translated into Swedish as kanin.
kanin refers to a young rabbit.
Meaning: young rabbit (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use kaniner for the plural "bunnies" and kaninen to refer to a specific "the bunny". To show possession in the singular definite form, such as "the bunny's", use kaninens.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaniːn/
Did you know?
- The word kanin comes from the Latin cuniculus, which originally referred to a small burrow or tunnel before it meant the animal itself.
- In Swedish folklore, rabbits are often associated with the 'Easter Hare' påskharen, who delivers eggs. Unlike the English 'Easter Bunny', the Swedish figure is explicitly a hare.
- While kanin is the general word for rabbit, Swedish has a distinct word hare for the larger wild species. Confusing the two is common for learners, but they are biologically and linguistically separate in Sweden.
Examples in context
- Titta! En kanin!Look! A bunny!This sentence is useful for practicing how to point out a kanin.Tatoeba #11163116 by Pineapple, translation #10021887 by shekitten
- Det var en ond kanin.That was an evil bunny.This sentence is useful for describing a specific kanin with an adjective.Tatoeba #7680978 by nickrobson, translation #1289 by djinni74
- Jag har en liten kanin.I have a little bunny.
Example conversation
Linnea and Karl are at a pet store.
- LinneaTitta, en söt kanin!Look, a cute bunny!
- KarlDen är väldigt liten.It is very small.
- LinneaSka vi köpa den?Should we buy it?
- KarlJa, det vore kul.Yes, that would be fun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kanin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kanin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
