siffror
In Swedish, the phrase 'numbers' is translated as siffror.
siffror refers specifically to the individual symbols or digits used to write values, such as the digits from zero to nine. For context, some basic digits include Två (two), Tre (three), Fyra (four), Sex (six), Sju (seven), Åtta (eight), Nio (nine) and Tio (ten). Larger scale words include Tusen (thousand), Miljon (million), Miljard (billion) and Biljon (trillion).
Which one should you use?
While siffror refers to the individual digits 0-9, the word tal is used when you are referring to numbers as whole quantities or values, such as 15, 100 or 500.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word siffror is the plural form of the singular noun siffra. When using nouns with articles, remember that en is used before masculine and feminine nouns, while ett is used before neuter nouns.
Did you know?
- The word siffra shares a root with the English word 'cipher' and the Arabic word sifr, which both originally meant 'zero'.
- Swedish has a specific word mil which represents ten kilometers, meaning that the number ten is built into how Swedes measure long distances.
- A Swedish speaker might say they are 'sifferblind', meaning 'digit-blind'. This is the common way to describe someone who has difficulty processing individual digits or numerical symbols.
Examples in context
- Jag har skrivit ned alla siffror upp till trettioett.I've written down all the numbers up to thirty-one.This sentence shows how to use the plural form siffror when discussing a sequence of digits.Tatoeba #1972068 by herrsilen, translation #772604 by BraveSentry
- Fem miljonerFive million
- Siffror är svåra att läsa på den här skärmen.Numbers are hard to read on this screen.
Example conversation
Oscar and Linnea are looking at a receipt in a shop.
- OscarJag ser inga siffror på det här kvittot.I don't see any numbers on this receipt.
- LinneaLåt mig titta, Oscar.Let me look, Oscar.
- OscarÄr siffrorna för små för dig?Are the numbers too small for you?
- LinneaJa, de är väldigt suddiga.Yes, they are very blurry.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
