kvinna
/²kvɪnːˌa/common gender
The Swedish word for "woman" is kvinna.
kvinna is the most common and neutral way to refer to an adult female person in Swedish.
Meaning: adult female person (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland, such as the region of Åland, the term muija is occasionally used to mean "woman".
How does it change in a sentence?
kvinna is a common-gender noun. Its definite form is kvinnan (the woman), the plural form is kvinnor (women) and the plural definite genitive form is kvinnornas (the women's).
How do you pronounce it?
/²kvɪnːˌa/
Did you know?
- The Swedish word kvinna is a direct cognate of the English word 'queen'. They both derive from the same ancient root describing a female person.
- While kvinna is the standard term, the word dam is often used in formal settings to mean 'lady', similar to the English 'lady'.
- The term muija, used in some Swedish-speaking parts of Finland, can be perceived as slang or derogatory depending on the context and region.
Examples in context
- Denna kvinna är ful.This woman is ugly.This sentence shows how to use kvinna to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #10745789 by Pineapple, translation #6629504 by Reonaato
- Jag är en gammal kvinna.I'm an old woman.This sentence uses kvinna to describe a person's age.Tatoeba #11269276 by Pineapple, translation #3725420 by CM
- Han ser ut som en kvinna.He looks like a woman.This sentence uses kvinna to describe a resemblance.Tatoeba #11189284 by Pineapple, translation #2244432 by Amastan
- Kan du be den här damen att vänta ett ögonblick?Can you ask this lady to wait for a moment?
- Min flickvän är en mycket smart kvinna.My girlfriend is a very intelligent woman.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maja and Erik are at a cafe.
- MajaSer du den där kvinnan?Do you see that woman?
- ErikJa, jag ser henne.Yes, I see her.
- MajaHon är en klok kvinna.She is a wise woman.
- ErikDet stämmer verkligen.That is very true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “woman” translations and entries kvinna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kvinna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
