lärare
/²lɛːrarɛ/masculine
The Swedish word for "teacher" is lärare. Wiktionary also lists lärarinna and fröken.
Meaning: person who teaches (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lärare | /²lɛːrarɛ/ | masculine |
| lärarinna | feminine | |
| fröken | /ˈfrøːkɛn/ | feminine |
The term refers to a person who teaches. When stating someone's profession in Swedish, you do not use an indefinite article, so you would say Du är lärare rather than using a word for "a".
Which one should you use?
While lärare is the standard term for a teacher, lärarinna is used specifically to denote a female teacher.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word undervisare can be used as a polite or formal way to refer to an educator. In contrast, fröken is used by children to address a female teacher, but it is considered outdated or overly formal in most adult professional contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form lärare is used for both the singular (a teacher) and the plural (teachers).
How do you pronounce it?
/²lɛːrarɛ/
Did you know?
- In modern Swedish schools children usually address their lärare by their first name. This is part of a broader cultural shift toward egalitarianism and removing formal hierarchies in the classroom.
- The word lära used to form lärare can mean both 'to teach' and 'to learn'. This creates a linguistic link between the act of giving knowledge and receiving it.
- The term fröken is a diminutive of the word for 'lady' or 'woman'. It was originally used to address unmarried women of high social standing before becoming a common way for children to address female teachers.
Examples in context
- Du är lärare nu.You're a teacher now.This sentence shows how to state someone's profession using lärare without an article.Tatoeba #11277165 by Pineapple, translation #2547443 by CK
- Vem är din lärare?Who is your teacher?This sentence uses lärare to ask about someone's teacher.Tatoeba #2161570 by Tokeingah, translation #17660 by CK
- Är du inte lärare?Are you not a teacher?This sentence uses lärare in a question about one's profession.Tatoeba #10712341 by Pineapple, translation #3378215 by sundown
- Jag har en bra lärare på mitt universitet.I have a great teacher at my university.
- Min lärare är väldigt kunnig och inspirerande.My teacher is very knowledgeable and inspiring.
- Skolans undervisare är engagerade och hjälpsamma.The school's educators are engaged and helpful.
- Jag har träffat många duktiga undervisare under min studietid.I have met many skilled educators during my study time.
- Många barn ser upp till sina lärarinnor.Many children look up to their female teachers.
- 65 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Karl and Emma are discussing their career goals at a cafe.
- KarlJag vill bli en bra lärare.I want to become a good teacher.
- EmmaVilka ämnen vill du undervisa i?Which subjects do you want to teach?
- KarlJag vill vara lärare i historia.I want to be a history teacher.
- EmmaDet låter som en jättebra plan.That sounds like a great plan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teacher” translations and entries lärare, lärarinna, fröken, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fröken, lärare, lärarinna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
