"Relationerna mellan Sverige och Finland är goda."

Translation: The relations between Sweden and Finland are good.

[RikSha]

Våra kära grannar :)

[rachael.cr3]

Även van det finns ishockey?

[RikSha]

EFTER ishockeysäsongen :D

[gibbano]

Better to leave out the definite article in the English

[limara.deeb]

isn't 'god' and adjective for food mostly? shouldn't we use 'bra' instead

[Zmrzlina]

It is. But in some a little more formal contexts, you might well encounter it in the same meaning as bra.

[cesar.gera]

Can't we say "the relationships" too? It was rejected. I understand that in this context, "relations" are typically used, but that doesn't rule out saying "relationships", right? Countries can have either "relations" or "relationships," depending on the speaker's point, I think

[devalanteriel]

I think using "relationships" makes it sound like a raunchy Polandball fan fic. :p

But the singular would work in English. Just not as a translation, because that would require the singular in Swedish.

[AnthonyGaskin]

I do not like the definite article before "relations" Either Relations are good. or the relationship is good sound more English.

[devalanteriel]

I agree, and the article-less version is also accepted. This is the default only to make the reverse exercise a little more straightforward.

[Jeanbean425734]

You can't use the plural "relationships" in this sentence because there are only two parties involved (the two countries). You would have to use the singular "relationship."

To use "relationships," you would have to be talking about at least 3 countries: The relationships between Sweden, Finland, and Norway are good.

[Vithralas]

And the 2 countries can have a financial relationship, a social relationship and a commercial relationship, what's wrong with it? I agree that it sounds weird, but the number of countries doesn't need to match the number of relationships :P

[Jeanbean425734]

True. I hadn't thought of that.

[Jeanbean425734]

Strictly speaking, if there are more than 2 countries, the correct term would be "among" rather than "between."

[the3lusive]

Is this really true ? Because I see them quarreling on youtube by calling the other fat.

[Zmrzlina]

It's mostly just friendly rivalry. The Nordic countries enjoy great relations between them.

[the3lusive]

Nice to hear. :)

[Vithralas]

Even Denmark? I've heard that Denmark is like the "retarded little brother" (no offense for the Danish), it's just what I've heard from some people from the Scandinavian countries :D

[CarloGamag1]

Why is 'The relationship between Sweden and Finland ... " not accepted? for a general statement like this the singular should be accepted as well

[Jeanbean425734]

"The relationship between Sweden and Finland is good" would be my first choice of wording in English.

I think the reason it's not accepted is because they want you to use "relations" rather than "relationship."

[Larry-Johnson]

Thanks! That answers my question, too.