-na/-a
Definite Plural Suffix
In Swedish, to say 'the' with plural nouns, you add a suffix like -na or -a directly to the end of the plural form.
How It Works
To express 'the' with plural nouns in Swedish, you append a definite suffix directly to the plural noun.
1. Nouns using -na
The suffix -na is the most common definite plural ending. It attaches to plural forms that end in -or, -ar, or -er:
- flicka → flickor → flickorna (the girls)
- bil → bilar → bilarna (the cars)
- sak → saker → sakerna (the things)
2. Nouns using -a
Many neuter nouns (ett-words) ending in an unstressed vowel form their plural with -n. These words add -a for the definite plural:
- ett äpple → äpplen → äpplena (the apples)
- ett yrke → yrken → yrkena (the professions)
- ett meddelande → meddelanden → meddelandena (the messages)
Knowing how to use these endings helps you build fluency in forming natural Swedish sentences.
Another Important Ending: -en
Many neuter nouns with unchanged plurals take -en: ett hus → hus → husen, ett barn → barn → barnen. Learn the plural pattern rather than looking only at the final letter. This entry focuses on -na and -a; they are not the only definite plural endings.
Examples (4)
- Bilarna står på parkeringen.
The cars are in the parking lot.
Word by Word: Cars-the stand on parking-lot-the.
The plural 'bilar' takes '-na' to become 'bilarna' (the cars).
- Flickorna läser sin bok.
The girls are reading their book.
Word by Word: Girls-the read their book.
The plural 'flickor' takes '-na' to become 'flickorna' (the girls).
- Äpplena är mycket goda.
The apples are very tasty.
Word by Word: Apples-the are very tasty.
The neuter plural 'äpplen' takes '-a' to become 'äpplena' (the apples).
- Hundarna springer i trädgården.
The dogs are running in the garden.
Word by Word: Dogs-the run in garden-the.
The plural 'hundar' takes '-na' to become 'hundarna' (the dogs).
Common Mistakes
Using singular definite endings on plural words.
Jag ser bilaren.Jag ser bilarna.The plural bilar takes -na: bilarna. Do not attach the singular suffix from bilen to bilar. Other plural patterns can have -en, as in husen.
Adding another n after the plural suffix -n in äpplen.
Äpplenna är goda.Äpplena är goda.Äpplen contains the plural suffix -n and takes definite -a: äpplena. A word merely ending in the letter n need not follow this pattern: barn has no plural suffix and becomes barnen.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the definite plural in Swedish, you must first understand how to make a noun plural in its indefinite form. Additionally, familiarity with the concept of definite suffixes (from the singular form) and noun genders is essential for choosing the correct endings.
- -en/-etDefinite Singular Suffix
Understanding how to form the definite singular is a foundational step before learning how to form the definite plural.
Level 1 - -or/-ar/-er/-nPlural Endings
The definite plural suffix is added to the plural form of the noun, so learners must first know how to form indefinite plurals.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- den/det/deIt/they (Definite)
The front article 'de' is used alongside definite plural nouns when modified by adjectives.
Level 1 - Double determination
A definite adjective phrase normally combines de with the noun’s definite suffix: de röda bilarna, de stora husen. The noun ending depends on its declension, not on de alone.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice -na/-a in Bubblegum
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