pingvin
/pɪŋˈviːn/
The English word penguin is pingvin in Swedish.
pingvin is a noun used to refer to a flightless sea bird.
Meaning: flightless sea bird (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pingvin is pingviner. To refer to a specific group of penguins, use the definite plural form pingvinerna. If you want to express possession or that something belongs to a specific penguin, use the definite singular genitive form pingvinens.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɪŋˈviːn/
Did you know?
- In Swedish, the word pingvin can be used jokingly to describe a person who is dressed too formally for a casual occasion, implying they look like they are in a tuxedo.
- The Swedish word pingvin is borrowed from the French word 'pingouin', which was first recorded in 1685.
- While pingvin refers to the bird, the Swedish word for a 'tuxedo' is smoking, meaning the bird's natural look is described by a loanword from English rather than by the word for the bird itself.
Examples in context
- Jag går som en pingvin.I walk like a penguin.This sentence is useful for describing a manner of walking using pingvin.Tatoeba #4839617 by Nour, translation #2755866 by shekitten
- Den här pingvinungen är så söt!This baby penguin is too cute!This sentence is useful for describing a baby bird using pingvin.Tatoeba #2782940 by Alex1975, translation #1848 by Zifre
- Pingviner är intressanta djur som lever i Antarktis.Penguins are interesting animals that live in Antarctica.
- Vi såg en pingvin på zoo.We saw a penguin at the zoo.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- LucasTitta, en pingvin simmar i vattnet!Look, a penguin is swimming in the water!
- EmmaDen är verkligen jättesnabb.It is really very fast.
- LucasJa, pingviner är fantastiska simmare.Yes, penguins are fantastic swimmers.
- EmmaJag älskar de här djuren.I love these animals.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “penguin” translations and entries pingvin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pingvin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
