samma

Same

Level 2

'samma' means 'the same' and is usually followed by a noun in its indefinite (base) form (e.g., 'samma bil', not 'samma bilen').

How It Works

The Swedish word samma means 'the same' and is used to show that two or more things are identical.

Samma is normally unchanged across gender and number, but the masculine singular form samme is also possible. A following adjective has its ordinary definite form, as described under adjective agreement.

Furthermore, samma is almost always followed by a noun in its indefinite (base) form. Although 'samma' itself implies definiteness, standard Swedish keeps the following noun bare — unlike the double definite construction with 'den' or 'det'.

Let's look at the common pattern:

  • En-words: samma + noun (e.g., samma bil)
  • Ett-words: samma + noun (e.g., samma hus)
  • Plural: samma + noun (e.g., samma idéer)

The definite form ('samma bilen') also occurs in informal, spoken Swedish, but the bare form is the written standard.
Don't confuse samma (same, identical) with likadan (similar, of the same kind). Likadan has a fuller gender/number contrast: en likadan bil, ett likadant hus, likadana bilar.

Examples (5)

  1. Jag köpte samma tröja som du.

    I bought the same sweater as you.

    Word by Word: I bought same sweater as you.

  2. De bor i samma hus.

    They live in the same house.

    Word by Word: They live in same house.

  3. Vi har samma problem varje år.

    We have the same problems every year.

    Word by Word: We have same problem(s) every year.

  4. Hon lyssnar på samma låt om och om igen.

    She listens to the same song over and over again.

    Word by Word: She listens to same song on and on again.

  5. Är det samma bil som stod här igår?

    Is it the same car that was here yesterday?

    Word by Word: Is it same car that stood here yesterday?

Common Mistakes

  • Using an informal definite-noun variant when the standard written pattern is intended.

    Vi har samma bilen.
    Vi har samma bil.

    In standard Swedish, 'samma' is followed by the noun in its indefinite (base) form. The definite form ('samma bilen') is only an informal, spoken variant.

  • Trying to make 'samma' agree with the noun's gender or number.

    De har sammat hus.
    De har samma hus.

    The form before hus is samma, not sammat. Samma is used across ordinary gender/number contexts, but masculine singular samme is possible before a male person, so it is not absolutely invariable.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

sammaLevel 2Same

Learn This First

To use 'samma' (same) correctly, a learner needs to understand that while most Swedish adjectives change form based on the noun's gender or number, 'samma' is invariable. Additionally, 'samma' is almost always followed by a noun in its definite form, so familiarity with definite suffixes is essential.

Words in This Pattern

samma