ost
/ʊst/common gender
The English word "cheese" is ost in Swedish.
ost is a common-gender noun used to refer to the dairy product.
Meaning: dairy product (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The definite form is osten, used for "the cheese". To talk about multiple cheeses, use the plural form ostar. If you are referring to specific cheeses, use the definite plural form ostarna, which means "the cheeses".
How do you pronounce it?
/ʊst/
When do people say it?
While ost refers to the food, the word omelett is used as an interjection, similar to how English speakers say "cheese" when being photographed.
Did you know?
- Sweden enjoys a variety called brunost, a sweet brown cheese that is traditionally spread on crispbread.
- The Swedish word ost is a cognate of the English word 'cheese' through their shared Proto-Germanic ancestor *justaz.
- In Sweden, you will find a specific tool called an osthyvel in almost every kitchen to slice cheese into paper-thin sheets.
Examples in context
- Tycker du om ost?Do you like cheese?This example shows how to ask if someone likes ost.Tatoeba #4328274 by richke, translation #3825773 by CK
- Jag tycker om ost.I like cheese.This example shows how to express a preference for ost.Tatoeba #9024216 by morbrorper, translation #5840439 by CK
- Jag äter inte ost.I don't eat cheese.This example shows how to state that one does not eat ost.Tatoeba #10747309 by Pineapple, translation #8215858 by CK
- Kan jag få lite ost på min sallad, tack?May I have some cheese on my salad, please?
- Vet ni om denna rätt innehåller ost?Do you know if this dish contains cheese?
- Jag köpte lite god ostkaka på vägen hit.I bought some tasty cheesecake on my way here.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maja and Lucas are shopping in a grocery store.
- MajaBehöver vi köpa ost?Do we need to buy cheese?
- LucasJa, vi behöver lite ost.Yes, we need some cheese.
- MajaVilken ost vill du ha?Which cheese do you want?
- LucasJag vill ha en hård ost.I want a hard cheese.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheese” translations and entries ost, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ost, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
