"I have a belt."

Translation: Jag har ett skärp.

[Stefanina314]

How do you know when to use "ett" or "en"?

[ellenkeyne]

You have to learn it with the noun, just as in German or French. Fortunately, most Swedish nouns are 'en', so it's easier to remember the exceptions.

[gaudetmi]

So when I look this up, skärp is translated as "sash," which at least in English is not the same thing as a "belt". A sash is usually something that is tied in a knot with itself (i.e., on a trenchcoat or bathrobe), whereas a belt usually has a clasp etc.

Does Swedish have this distinction? Is Duolingo just messing with me?

[Arnauti]

This is a very late answer, but the question is still relevant. Image google skärp and you'll see what they typically look like. I'm not aware of a special word that covers the same things as 'sash'. I'd call the one on a bathrobe 'skärp' too.

[.Storr.]

What is the difference between skärp and bälte?

[ViniciusDeSouza_]

Hello, Arnauti!

I and Storr have the same doubt:

Between "skärp" or "bälte", which of these swedish words does it translate "belt" to English better?

I think that is "bälte", but I'm not sure.

I've noted that you and "Delantiel" always make good explanations.

Could you help us?!??

[MarkovV09]

Why is this sentence in this category?

[JamesLord7]

Where did the word "livrem" come from? I have not encountered this previouslt and was told the word was "skarp" (The accent over the "a" does not show on the discussion page.)

[Zmrzlina]

It's a rarely used synonym.

[JamesLord7]

Then why was the use of the word skarp (with accent) marked as wrong?

[Zmrzlina]

Don't know. There have been suggestions of "en skärp", but that's wrong since skärp is an ett-word.

[JamesLord7]

Strange but thanks anyway.

[Sandi_e]

skärp was marked as incorrect and livrem was in its place in the answer