sjuksköterska
/²ɧʉːkˌɧøːtɛʂka/common gender
In Swedish, the word for nurse is sjuksköterska. If unsure, use sjuksköterska. Wiktionary also lists sjukskötare.
Meaning: person trained to provide care for the sick (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sjuksköterska | /²ɧʉːkˌɧøːtɛʂka/ | common gender |
| sjukskötare | common gender |
A sjuksköterska is a person trained to provide care for the sick. This is distinct from the verb amma, which means to breastfeed a baby.
What does it mean word for word?
The word sjuksköterska is a compound of sjuk (sick) and sköterska (caregiver/attendant), literally meaning "sick-caregiver".
Which one should you use?
While both words refer to care, sjuksköterska is the standard term for a professional nurse. In contrast, sjukskötare is often used for a nursing assistant or a less specialized caregiver.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular definite form (the nurse) is sjuksköterskan. The plural form (nurses) is sjuksköterskor. If you want to express the definite plural genitive (belonging to the nurses), use sjuksköterskornas.
How do you pronounce it?
/²ɧʉːkˌɧøːtɛʂka/
Did you know?
- In Swedish hospitals, you will often hear the term syrra, a slang shortening of syster ('sister'). This reflects the historical influence of nursing orders and the religious origins of the profession.
- The word sjuksköterska contains the suffix -ska, which historically marked female professions. While it is now the standard title for all nurses, the gendered ending remains part of the official term.
- Swedish nursing is highly regulated, and the title sjuksköterska is a protected professional title. Using it for someone without the specific university degree is legally restricted in certain contexts.
Examples in context
- John tycker om sjuksköterskan.John likes the nurse.This sentence is useful for seeing the definite singular form of sjuksköterska.Tatoeba #6589204 by loghaD, translation #497956 by FeuDRenais
- Min brorsdotter är sjuksköterska.My niece is a nurse.This sentence shows how to use sjuksköterska to state a profession.Tatoeba #4445869 by richke, translation #3635941 by CK
- En sjuksköterska tog tempen på mig.A nurse took my temperature.This sentence demonstrates the use of sjuksköterska in a practical context.Tatoeba #12314427 by morbrorper, translation #20987 by CK
- Igår träffade jag en sköterska som gav mig råd om min hälsa.Yesterday, I met a nurse who gave me advice regarding my health.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Oscar and Maja are discussing her career in a cafe.
- OscarJobbar du som sjuksköterska nu?Do you work as a nurse now?
- MajaJa, jag är sjuksköterska på sjukhuset.Yes, I am a nurse at the hospital.
- OscarDet låter som ett viktigt jobb.That sounds like an important job.
- MajaTack, det är verkligen meningsfullt.Thanks, it is truly meaningful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nurse” translations and entries sjuksköterska, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
