kall
/kalː/
The Swedish word for cold is kall. Wiktionary also lists frusen.
Meaning: having a low temperature (adj)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| kall | /kalː/ |
| frusen |
The word is used to describe things having a low temperature. To describe an extreme and harsh cold, you can use the phrase Obarmhärtig köld, which means merciless cold.
Which one should you use?
kall refers to a low temperature, whereas frusen specifically means frozen or cold to the point of being ice-like.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on the noun it describes. Use kall for 'en' nouns, such as en kall vind. Use kallt for neuter nouns or when describing general conditions and weather, such as Det är kallt. The form kalla is used for plural nouns or when the adjective is in the definite form.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalː/
Did you know?
- To describe a cold person in a medical sense, such as someone with a common cold, Swedes use the word förkyld instead of kall.
- While kallt describes the weather, Swedes use the phrase det drar to describe the specific kind of cold caused by a draft of air in a room.
- The Swedish word kall is a direct cousin of the English word 'cold', both descending from the Proto-Germanic word *kaldaz.
Examples in context
- Den är för kall.It's too cold.This sentence is useful for expressing that something is too cold using kall.Tatoeba #1971963 by herrsilen, translation #1566162 by marcelostockle
- Det är så kallt.It's so cold.This sentence is useful for expressing that it is very cold using kallt.Tatoeba #10928639 by Pineapple, translation #6576798 by Eccles17
- Har du för kallt?Are you too cold?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is feeling too cold using kallt.Tatoeba #4317370 by richke, translation #3930019 by Delian
- Det är kallt härIt is cold here
- Jag fryser, det är så kallt idagI'm freezing, it's so cold today
- Katten behöver en varm plats eftersom det är kallt uteThe cat needs a warm spot because it's cold outside
- Vi måste klä oss varmt på grund av det kyliga vädretWe need to dress warmly because of the cold weather
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Linnea and Lucas are in the kitchen with a drink.
- LinneaVill du ha kall mjölk?Do you want cold milk?
- LucasJa tack, det låter gott.Yes please, that sounds good.
- LinneaHär är den, den är jättekall.Here it is, it is very cold.
- LucasTack, Linnea!Thanks, Linnea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries kall, frusen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kall, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
