liten
/²liːtɛn/
In Swedish, little is translated as liten.
The word liten is used to describe something that is small in physical size, such as en liten pojke (a little boy). This is distinct from the related form lite, which refers to a small amount or a degree of something, as seen in phrases like lite svårt (a little difficult) or lite godare (a little tastier).
Meaning: small in size (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use liten to describe physical size, whereas the related form lite refers to an amount or degree.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes depending on the noun it describes. Use liten for common gender (en) nouns in their indefinite singular form. For neuter gender (ett) nouns in their indefinite singular form, use litet. When describing the definite singular form of a noun, regardless of its gender, use lilla. To describe multiple nouns in their indefinite plural form, use små.
How do you pronounce it?
/²liːtɛn/
When do people say it?
To express that something is tiny or teeny-tiny in an endearing way, you can use the word Pytteliten.
Did you know?
- Swedish speakers often use lite as a hedging device to make a request or criticism sound softer and more polite, regardless of the actual amount.
- The word liten can be used in Swedish to describe someone who is younger or lower in hierarchy, not just someone who is physically short.
- The word liten is a distant relative of the English word 'little', as both descend from the same Proto-Germanic root *lītilaz.
Examples in context
- Är den för liten?Is it too little?This sentence shows how to use liten to ask if something is too small.Tatoeba #5260740 by Blurk, translation #5264572 by Cithara
- Ziri förtjänar en liten paus.Ziri deserves a little break.This sentence demonstrates using liten to describe a small break.Tatoeba #10686367 by Pineapple, translation #10232517 by Amastan
- Även en liten pojke vet detta.Even a little boy knows this.This sentence uses liten to describe a little boy.Tatoeba #12110704 by johanrhg, translation #2626802 by Joseph
- Jag behöver en liten påminnelse om mötet imorgonI need a little reminder about the meeting tomorrow
- Det finns smått och gott att äta på buffénThere are little bits and pieces to eat at the buffet
- Jag kan komma om en liten stundI can come in a little while
- Titta på den lilla fågeln som sitter på grenenLook at the little bird sitting on the branch
- Titta på den pyttelilla kattungenLook at the tiny little kitten
- Det är för lite tidThere is not enough time
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Erik and Alice are looking at a kitten in a pet shop.
- ErikTitta på den lilla katten!Look at that little cat!
- AliceÅh, den är så liten.Oh, it is so small.
- ErikSka vi köpa den?Shall we buy it?
- AliceJa, den lilla vännen är söt.Yes, the little friend is cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little” translations and entries liten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries liten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
