Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| den | /dɛnː/ /rɛnː/ |
| -en | /-ɛn/ |
In Swedish, 'the' is expressed in two main ways for common gender (en-words): as a standalone word or as a suffix attached to the end of the noun. For example, you can say Boken for 'the book', Lägenheten for 'the apartment', Hunden for 'the dog', Köttet for 'the meat' and Äpplet for 'the apple'.
Which one should you use?
The form den is used as a standalone article or a demonstrative pronoun, whereas the suffix -en is attached directly to the noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
For common gender nouns (en-words), the definite article is often attached to the end of the noun as a suffix -en rather than being a separate word. When den is used as a pronoun to mean 'the one' in relation to an en-gender noun, it remains den regardless of the number of items, unless it is specifically referring to multiple items, in which case it becomes de.
How do you pronounce it?
/dɛnː/
Did you know?
- The Swedish suffix -en actually evolved from the Old Norse word hinn, which originally sat before the noun as a separate word.
- While English uses 'the' for everything, Swedish requires a choice between suffixes like -en and -et based on whether a noun is an 'en-word' or an 'ett-word'.
- Swedish speakers can use den to emphasize a specific object, effectively turning 'the' into 'this one' or 'that one' without changing the word.
Examples in context
- Jag tar den gula.I'll take the yellow one.This example shows how to use den to specify a color.Tatoeba #1465237 by Tximist, translation #49452 by CK
- Det är den andra.It's the other one.This sentence illustrates the use of den to mean 'the other one'.Tatoeba #3742828 by herrsilen, translation #2891637 by CK
- Den är i garaget.It's in the garage.This demonstrates using den to indicate the location of an object.Tatoeba #4372068 by richke, translation #2648090 by CK
- Den nya lägenheten är rymlig.The new apartment is spacious.
- Den stora hunden är söt.The big dog is cute.
- Det färska köttet smakar bra.The fresh meat tastes good.
- Det röda äpplet är saftigt.The red apple is juicy.
- 441 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maja and Erik are looking for a specific book in a bookstore.
- MajaVar är den här boken?Where is this book?
- ErikJag tror att den ligger där borta.I think that it is over there.
- MajaÄr den boken din?Is that book yours?
- ErikNej, den är inte min.No, it is not mine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “the” translations and entries den, -en, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries -en, den, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
