svartsjuk
The Swedish word for jealous is svartsjuk.
The term is used to describe someone who is feeling resentful of someone else's perceived advantages, whether those advantages are material or otherwise. To express the English idiom 'green with envy', you can use the phrase grön av avund.
Meaning: envious, feeling resentful of someone for a perceived advantage, material or otherwise (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word svartsjuk is a compound of svart, meaning black and sjuk, meaning sick.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between different types of jealousy in Swedish. Svartsjuk is used specifically for romantic jealousy. If you are describing envy regarding someone's possessions or qualities, use avundsjuk.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective svartsjuk follows standard Swedish agreement. The singular form is svartsjuk, the neuter singular form is svartsjukt and the plural or definite form is svartsjuka. You may also encounter the superlative form avundsjukast, which means 'most jealous'.
Did you know?
- The term svartsjuk originates from an old Swedish expression bära svarta strumpor, which literally means 'to wear black stockings'.
- The concept of being 'black-sick' implies that romantic jealousy is treated as a form of malady or illness in the Swedish mindset.
- A Swedish speaker might call you avundsjuk for your talent, but calling you svartsjuk for your talent would be a bizarre social error.
Examples in context
- Jag tror du är svartsjuk.I think you're jealous.This sentence is useful for expressing the opinion that someone is svartsjuk.Tatoeba #2109799 by frasco, translation #1780015 by Spamster
- Han är avundsjuk på sin systers framgångar.He is jealous of his sister's success.
- Jag är så svartsjuk på henne, hon får alltid vad hon vill.I'm so jealous of her, she always gets what she wants.
- Hon var grön av avund när hon såg sitt ex tillsammans med en ny partner.She was green with envy when she saw her ex with a new partner.
- Han är den avundsjukaste människan jag någonsin har träffat.He is the most jealous person I have ever met.
- Jag är avundsjuk på din nya partner.I'm jealous of your new partner.
- Jag är svartsjuk på hennes befordran.I'm jealous of her promotion.
- Hon är avundsjuk på sin väns vackra utseende.She is jealous of her friend's beautiful appearance.
- Han är svartsjuk på hans framgång.He is jealous of his success.
- Var inte så svartsjuk på min nya bil.Don't be so jealous of my new car.
Example conversation
Erik and Linnea are discussing a mutual friend's promotion.
- LinneaÄr du svartsjuk på hans nya jobb?Are you jealous of his new job?
- ErikNej, jag är inte svartsjuk alls.No, I am not jealous at all.
- LinneaDet var bra att höra.That was good to hear.
- ErikJag är bara glad för hans skull.I am just happy for him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry svartsjuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries svartsjuk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
