Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| rosa | /ˈroːˌsa/ /ˈruːˌsa/ |
| skär | /ɧæːr/ /ʃæːr/ |
| ljusröd |
The primary way to describe the color between red and white is with rosa. You may also see the term ljusröd used as a descriptive synonym to mean a very pale pink, which literally translates to 'light red'. Additionally, the words rosa and skär can be used as nouns to refer to the color pale red itself.
Which one should you use?
While both rosa and skär mean pink, rosa is the standard, most common word used for the color in everyday Swedish. In contrast, skär is often used in more poetic or literary contexts or to describe a reddish flush in the skin. The term ljusröd acts as a more descriptive synonym for a very pale shade of pink.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective rosa is invariable, meaning it does not change its form regardless of the gender or number of the noun it describes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈroːˌsa/
Did you know?
- The word skär was borrowed from the French word chair, which means 'meat'.
Examples in context
- Den rosa kudden är ren.The pink pillow is clean.This sentence shows how to use rosa to describe a pillow.Tatoeba #2699431 by Tximist, translation #462862 by lukaszpp
- Jag har aldrig sett ett rosa kylskåp.I have never seen a pink fridge.This sentence demonstrates the use of rosa with a fridge.Tatoeba #11163208 by Pineapple, translation #7972878 by CC
- Hon valde ut en rosa skjorta för mig att prova.She picked out a pink shirt for me to try on.This sentence illustrates using rosa to describe a shirt.Tatoeba #2301835 by Tximist, translation #312084 by Dejo
- Min favoritfärg är rosa.My favorite color is pink.
- Jag köpte en ljusröd tröja i dag.I bought a light pink sweater today.
- Tycker du om laxrosa kläder?Do you like salmon pink clothes?
- Hennes naglar är målade i en vacker korallrosa nyans.Her nails are painted in a beautiful coral pink shade.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maja and Karl are shopping for home decor.
- MajaTitta på den rosa vasen, Karl!Look at the pink vase, Karl!
- KarlDen är fin, men är den inte för ljus?It is nice, but isn't it too bright?
- MajaJag tycker att den rosa färgen är perfekt.I think the pink color is perfect.
- KarlOkej, om du vill ha den så köper vi den.Okay, if you want it, we'll buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pink” translations and entries rosa, skär, ljusröd, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ljusröd, rosa, skär, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
