ko
/kuː/common gender
The Swedish word for cow is ko. If unsure, use ko. Wiktionary also lists kossa.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ko | /kuː/ | common gender |
| kossa | common gender |
The term refers to an adult female of the species Bos taurus.
Which one should you use?
ko is the standard, neutral term for a cow used in most contexts. kossa is a more colloquial or affectionate way to refer to a cow, often used in rural or informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The definite form of ko is kon, which is used when referring to a specific cow. To speak about multiple cows, use the plural form kor. If you are referring to a specific group of cows, use the definite plural form korna.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuː/
Did you know?
- In Swedish, the phrase mjölka kon (to milk the cow) is also used idiomally to describe someone who is trying to extract as much money or benefit as possible from a situation or a person.
- In Swedish, calling someone a ko is not a common insult, unlike in some other languages where cattle terms are used to describe dull people.
- The relationship between 'ko' and 'cow' is so close that they are cognates, meaning they are descendants of the same ancient ancestor, the Proto-Germanic word *kōz.
Examples in context
- Kan du mjölka en ko?Can you milk a cow?This sentence shows how to use the form ko in a question about milking.Tatoeba #9165862 by morbrorper, translation #9161742 by CK
- Jack bytte kon mot fröna.Jack exchanged the cow for the seeds.This sentence demonstrates how to use the form ko when something is exchanged.Tatoeba #10663251 by Pineapple, translation #53113 by CP
- Vet du hur man mjölkar en ko?Do you know how to milk a cow?This sentence shows how to use the form ko when asking about the process of milking.Tatoeba #9208834 by morbrorper, translation #9208744 by CK
- Jag såg en ko på bondgården.I saw a cow on the farm.
- Korna betar lugnt på ängen.The cows graze peacefully in the meadow.
- Bonden mjölkade kon.The farmer milked the cow.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alice and Karl are looking at a farm from a distance.
- AliceTitta, Karl, ser du den där kon?Look, Karl, do you see that cow?
- KarlJa, den är väldigt stor.Yes, it is very large.
- AliceDen ser väldigt lugn ut.She looks very calm.
- KarlDet verkar som att hon trivs.It seems like she is happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cow” translations and entries ko, kossa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ko, kossa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
