noll
/nɔl/
The English word 'zero' is translated into Swedish as noll.
noll is the cardinal number used to denote nothing, such as the number before one. In an informal sense, the term noll or the prefix noll- can also be used to express that there is virtually none of something.
Meaning: cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing (num)
Which one should you use?
While noll refers to the number zero, the noun nolla is used when referring specifically to the digit or the character zero.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form noll- can be used as a prefix to create compound words, such as nollställning (resetting).
How do you pronounce it?
/nɔl/
Did you know?
- The word nollställd can describe a person who is completely numb or emotionally empty, as if their feelings have been 'reset to zero'.
- Calling someone a nolla is a harsh insult in Swedish, essentially labeling them as a 'loser' or a 'nobody'.
- The word noll shares a common ancestor with the English word 'null', both originating from the Latin 'nullus' meaning 'none'.
Examples in context
- Noll är en siffra.Zero is a number.This sentence is useful for identifying noll as a number.Tatoeba #11231030 by Pineapple, translation #11161481 by carlosalberto
- Även idag är temperaturen under noll.Even today the temperature is below zero.This sentence demonstrates the use of noll in the context of temperature.Tatoeba #4839818 by Nour, translation #4890015 by warrenbisch
- Noll, en, två, tre, fyra, fem, sex, sju, åtta, nio, tio.Zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.This sentence shows noll as part of a counting sequence.Tatoeba #7344951 by herrsilen, translation #2025467 by wittleghoul
- Antalet deltagare för konferensen är noll.The number of participants for the conference is zero.
- Jag har fått nolla poäng på provet.I received zero points on the test.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Linnea and Karl are checking the score of a game.
- LinneaHur många mål har de gjort?How many goals have they scored?
- KarlDe har gjort noll mål.They have scored zero goals.
- LinneaVänta, står det verkligen noll?Wait, does it really say zero?
- KarlJa, det står noll på tavlan.Yes, it says zero on the board.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” translations and entries noll, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries noll, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
