elefant
/ɛlɛˈfanːt/
The English word elephant is elefant in Swedish.
The word refers to the mammal. To say big elephant, you use stor elefant.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun has several forms. The singular definite form, meaning 'the elephant', is created by adding the suffix -en to the stem. The plural form, meaning 'elephants', is formed by adding -er to the stem.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛlɛˈfanːt/
Did you know?
- The current Swedish word elefant replaced an older term fīl that was used in Old Swedish and Old Norse.
- While 'elephant' is the mammal, the Swedish word elefant is also used in the expression elefant i rummet, which translates to 'elephant in the room' to describe an obvious problem no one wants to discuss.
- If you were to describe an elephant's memory in Swedish, you would use the word elefantminne, which combines 'elephant' and 'memory' into one single compound word.
Examples in context
- Elefanten har en lång näsa.An elephant has a long nose.This sentence is useful for describing the physical features of an elefant.Tatoeba #10098441 by morbrorper, translation #268258 by CK
- Elefantbetar består av elfenben.Elephant tusks are made out of ivory.This sentence is useful for discussing the composition of an elefant's tusks.Tatoeba #5836270 by herrsilen, translation #2982275 by Hybrid
- "Hur mycket äter en elefant varje dag?" "Jag tror att jag läste någonstans att en elefant kan äta runt 70 kg växter dagligen.""How much does an elephant eat each day?" "I think I read somewhere that an elephant can eat about 150 pounds of plants on a daily basis."This sentence is useful for discussing the dietary habits of an elefant.Tatoeba #4193785 by richke, translation #4132435 by chelita2
- Elefanten är ett majestätiskt djur.The elephant is a majestic animal.
- Många elefanter vandrar på savannen.Many elephants roam the savannah.
- Ser du den grå elefanten där borta?Do you see the gray elephant over there?
- Elefanten är ett däggdjur.The elephant is a mammal.
- Ett elefanthjärta är stort och starkt.An elephant's heart is big and strong.
- Elefanter har en unik social struktur.Elephants have a unique social structure.
- Elefanter har de största hjärnorna bland alla landlevande djur.Elephants have the largest brains among all land animals.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Linnea and Karl are watching a nature documentary together.
- LinneaTitta, där är en elefant!Look, there is an elephant!
- KarlDen är verkligen enorm.It is truly enormous.
- LinneaTror du att den är hungrig?Do you think it is hungry?
- KarlJa, jag tror det.Yes, I think so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries elefant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries elefant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
