kock
common gender
The English phrase chef is translated into Swedish as kock or köksmästare.
Meaning: head cook of an establishment such as a restaurant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | Note |
|---|---|
| kock | common gender |
| köksmästare | common gender |
Both terms refer to a professional cook in an establishment like a restaurant. While kock is the standard, everyday term for anyone whose profession is cooking, köksmästare implies a specific level of seniority or management.
Which one should you use?
kock is the common, standard word for a cook or chef. In contrast, köksmästare is a more formal or professional title for a head chef or kitchen manager.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both kock and köksmästare are common-gender nouns.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the Swedish word chef to describe a professional cook. In Swedish, chef is a false friend that means 'boss' or 'leader' in a general sense, rather than a culinary professional.
Did you know?
- The term köksmästare literally translates to 'kitchen master', reflecting a historical hierarchy where the head chef held absolute authority over the domestic staff.
- The word kock is an unexpected relative of the English word 'cook', as both can be traced back to the Latin word coquus.
- Unlike in English, where 'chef' is often used as a prestige title for any professional cook, kock is used neutrally for everyone from a commis to a head chef.
Examples in context
- Är inte du kock?Aren't you a chef?This sentence is useful for asking if someone's profession is a kock.Tatoeba #3713864 by herrsilen, translation #2648571 by CK
- Tom blev kock.Tom became a chef.This sentence shows how someone can become a kock.Tatoeba #10161190 by SilasNordgren, translation #8401239 by CK
- Jag är en kock och älskar att laga mat.I am a chef and I love cooking.
- Kökschefen är ansvarig för hela köket.The head chef is responsible for the entire kitchen.
- Har du träffat restaurangchefen?Have you met the restaurant manager?
- Min bror arbetar som kock.My brother works as a chef.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Oscar and Alice are discussing Oscar's career at a restaurant.
- OscarJag vill bli kock en dag.I want to be a chef one day.
- AliceDu är en duktig kock, Oscar.You are a talented chef, Oscar.
- OscarTack, det är mitt drömjobb.Thanks, it is my dream job.
- AliceJag vet att du kommer lyckas.I know you will succeed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chef” translations and entries kock, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kock, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
