Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ruotsi | /ˈruo̯tsi/ |
| ruotsin kieli |
ruotsi is used as the name for the Swedish language. It also refers to the country of Sweden, with the meaning determined by the context of the sentence.
Which one should you use?
While ruotsi can mean the language or the country, you should use ruotsalainen to describe a person from Sweden or things pertaining to the country. To specifically describe the language, you can use ruotsi or the adjective ruotsinkielinen. The adjective ruotsinkielinen is used to describe something that is Swedish-speaking, such as a person or a region.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are expressing the ability to speak, learn or study the language, you must use the partitive case ruotsia instead of the base form. Additionally, ruotsinkielinen functions as an adjective meaning Swedish-speaking.
Did you know?
- The Finnish word for language, kieli, has distant relatives in languages as far-reaching as the Khanty language spoken in Siberia.
- The word kieli meaning 'language' also means 'tongue' as a physical organ of the body.
- In Finland, ruotsi is often used as a shorthand to refer to the entire Swedish-speaking minority population and their cultural sphere, not just the language.
Examples in context
- Minä en osaa puhua ruotsia.I don't speak Swedish.This sentence shows how to use the partitive form ruotsia when expressing an inability to speak the language.Tatoeba #3340404 by Silja, translation #482348 by adjusting
- Opettelen ruotsia ja saksaa.I am learning Swedish and German.This sentence demonstrates using the partitive form ruotsia when discussing learning the language.Tatoeba #2684163 by Kalle63, translation #1785739 by Amastan
- Ruotsi on "Sverige" ruotsiksi.Sweden is called "Sverige" in Swedish.This sentence shows the use of ruotsi when identifying the name of the language in a specific context.Tatoeba #1971451 by Orava, translation #1814653 by Amastan
- Minä opiskelen ruotsia.I'm studying Swedish.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Antti are discussing their school subjects.
- LauraOnko ruotsi suosittu aine?Is Swedish a popular subject?
- AnttiKyllä, monet opiskelevat ruotsia.Yes, many people study Swedish.
- LauraMinä pidän ruotsista kovasti.I like Swedish a lot.
- AnttiSe on minulle vaikeaa.It is difficult for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swedish” translations and entries ruotsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kieli, ruotsi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
