lök
/løːk/common gender
The English word onion translates to Swedish as lök. If unsure, use lök. Wiktionary also lists gullök.
Meaning: bulb (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lök | /løːk/ | common gender |
| gullök | common gender |
The word lök refers to a bulb and can be used as both a singular and a plural noun depending on the context, much like how 'onion' is used in English for mass or count contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The definite form of lök is löken (the onion), and the plural form is lökar (onions).
How do you pronounce it?
/løːk/
Did you know?
- The colloquial adjective lökig describes something 'cheesy' or 'lame', such as an outdated outfit or a tacky piece of jewelry.
- Unlike English, which uses 'bulb' for flowers and 'onion' for food, Swedish uses lök for both contexts without changing the word.
- The English word 'leek' and the Swedish word lök are linguistic cousins, both descending from the same Proto-Germanic root.
Examples in context
- Jag vill ha lite löksoppa.I want some onion soup.This sentence shows how to use lök in the context of soup.Tatoeba #6780029 by SilasNordgren, translation #6777230 by CK
- Tom tärnade löken.Tom diced the onion.This sentence demonstrates the use of the definite form löken with lök.Tatoeba #11474567 by Pineapple, translation #8750551 by Hybrid
- en gryta som innehåller mycket lökA stew that contains a lot of onion(s)This phrase is useful for describing a stew that contains a lot of lök.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are cooking dinner together in their kitchen.
- EmmaHar vi någon lök hemma?Do we have any onion at home?
- LucasJa, det finns en lök i kylen.Yes, there is an onion in the fridge.
- EmmaBra, då kan jag hacka den.Good, then I can chop it.
- LucasTack, Emma, du är jätteduktig.Thanks, Emma, you are very skilled.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onion” translations and entries lök, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lök, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
