"He is a child."

Translation: Han är ett barn.

[rhi634916]

I'm a bit confused about the use of 'ett' and 'en', in the first 'basics' category I thought 'ett' was used for objects and 'en' was used for people (eg 'ett apple, en kvinna') but now it's 'ett barn' and 'en tidning' and it's completely thrown off my understanding

[Arlequin_Girl]

I am confused as well

[happylilde]

I really wish someone would explain to me how and when to use 'ett' and 'en'. It would really improve my understanding of the language and make it easier on me. Send help

[DJJG7]

There are two articles: "en," which is common gender (all the formerly masculine and feminine together), and "ett" (or "et"), which is neuter. "Barn" is neuter and so takes "ett." By comparison, "flicka" ("girl") and "pojke" ("boy") are both common and so take "en." We just gotta memorize which goes with which! That's all I know so far. Hope it helps!

[n2fole00]

I don't think there is a system. I heard that the majority if words are en though (maybe 75%)

[Jenn960376]

I agree. Is this correct?

[Smarmite]

Maybe ett is like an and en is like a. Not entirwly sure though. Having same priblem so thats just a guess

[Michellepo407635]

is ett only for non living/people?

[Yerrick]

No: for example, barn are both living and people. It is a useful rule of thumb, but not absolute.

You really just have to memorize which are which class of nouns, same as grammatical gender in other languages.

[Caleb460920]

I left my answer as Han är ett barn, but it said it was wrong and that it should be unge? Can someone explain it please.

[gen.exe]

How would i know it's "ett"?!

[DJJG7]

There is really only one way to do that: One memorizes that "barn" is neuter and therefore takes "ett."

One thing that one can try is to use some little trick to memorize a word's gender--some way that one can remember that "child" is neuter.

Then after that, I find that I get used to hearing "ett barn," or "der Spiegel" (German for "the mirror," masculine). And that word combination becomes more and more familiar until "it just sounds right." And it becomes automatic.

I hope that helps!

[ArvindhMani]

How's 'barn' pronounced?

[Lundgren8]

It’s with a long open /ɑː/ and then a retroflex /n/ [ɳ], i.e. an /n/ with the tongue curved back. Listen here.

[Marion951295]

Why you translate barn one time as junge and another time as barn?

[Lkr291481]

Yes, why?

[Rithwik610617]

Doesn't ett mean 'an' and not 'a'?

[Yerrick]

No, they're both "a", just referring to different classes of nouns. Swedish doesn't have an "an".

[EfectusMagnus]

I thought ett were always after är. Why is here "Han är ett barn"?

[sam962177]

I am not a child!

[AshtenKind]

Also confused by this one

[Barbara100206]

A" in Sweden can be en and ett so why if i put en it makes my answer incorect?

[ElliotBart12]

I thought it's "Han ar barn"?

[Barbara100206]

Ett is for boys and en is for girl like ett apple or en kvinnor...