kärlek
/ˈɕɛːrˌleːk/common gender
The English word 'love' is translated to Swedish as kärlek.
kärlek is a common-gender noun referring to strong affection. If you want to describe the state of being in love, you can use the adjective kär. To address someone affectionately, you might use the informal term of endearment älskling, which means 'darling' or 'sweetheart'.
Meaning: strong affection (noun)
Which one should you use?
While kärlek is the noun for 'love', the verb älska is used to express the action of loving someone or something. When expressing affection, tycka om is a milder way to say 'to like', whereas älska expresses a much more intense love.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The definite form of the noun kärlek is kärleken (the love), and the plural form is kärlekar (loves).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɕɛːrˌleːk/
Did you know?
- The noun kärlek is actually a compound of the word kär (dear) and the suffix -lek, which means 'play'.
- Swedish has a specific word kärlekskrank, which literally means 'love-sick', used to describe the physical symptoms of longing for someone.
- There is a distinct difference between kärlek (the emotion) and förälskelse (the state of falling in love). Swedish treats the 'falling' process as a separate, temporary psychological state with its own noun.
Examples in context
- Jag tror på kärleken.I believe in love.This sentence uses kärlek to express a belief in love.Tatoeba #4344826 by richke, translation #3822918 by CK
- Vad vet du om kärlek?What do you know about love?This sentence uses kärlek to ask what someone knows about love.Tatoeba #11186546 by Pineapple, translation #2569250 by Hybrid
- Jag vet vad kärlek är.I know what love is.This sentence uses kärlek to state an understanding of what love is.Tatoeba #11626364 by Pineapple, translation #2376303 by CK
- Jag älskar mitt arbeteI love my job
- Jag känner kärlek för min familjI feel love for my family
- Jag är kär i digI am in love with you
- Hej älskling, hur har din dag varit?Hello darling, how was your day?
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Erik are talking about a romantic movie.
- EmmaFilmen handlar om sann kärlek.The movie is about true love.
- ErikJa, det är en vacker berättelse.Yes, it is a beautiful story.
- EmmaErik, tycker du att kärlek är svårt?Erik, do you think love is difficult?
- ErikIbland, men det är värt det.Sometimes, but it is worth it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “love” translations and entries kärlek, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kärlek, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
