19 Comments
1583
Whoa - a definite noun that doesn't end in "-n" or "-t"... Does anybody have any insight as to what is going on here?
It is actually indefinite. This is similar to how Swedish use words like the Internet without a definite form. (There is only one and there is no need to specify it further.)
Universe is a little bit trickier since there are theories and fiction with multiple universes where you may need to refer to the universe of a specific world.
Universum är lite klurigare eftersom det finns teorier och fiktiva historier med multipla universa där man kan behöva referera till universumet i en specifik värld.
But at the same time I suppose it can be used as an indefinite noun, like 'Det är ett små universum'? So how do we make a difference and as it is a general noun in English, there is no need to be articulated in this specific example. :)
Yes, although do note that små is the plural form, you want litet.
So to be clear, is it commonplace to go for "Ett" Universum when the definite article is required?
- 885
What? If the definite article is required, you definitely shouldn't use the indefinite article.
When the definite article is required in English, we'd normally just say universum in Swedish with no article, just like here.
Sorry Arnauti, I phrased my question badly. I just meant should we regard Universum as an "Ett" word when required! Thanks for the quick reply.
Hahaha, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe in Swedish... who could've thought, my, my.... :D
I think sometimes "rs" in two separate words like here gets "sh", but sometimes not like in this case. Is there a rule or is less used if it appears between two words?
