"Apples"
Translation:Äpplen
10 Comments
So we -na to make plurals definate but if the word already ends with an "n" we just add "a"?
This word is neuter gender; it's an "ett" word. (ett äpple, äpplet, äpplen, äpplena); "ett" words ending in vowel have 'n' form as plural. No, "-na" isn't always the way to make a plural definite, even with other neuter gender words. Example: (ett bibliotek, biblioteket, bibliotek, biblioteken). You are correct that there are lots of other words ending in 'n' where only an 'a' is added to make the plural definite, Example: (suddgummi, suddgummit, suddgummin, suddgummina). And you are correct that many words do add the "-na". Example: (en balkong, balkongen, balkonger, balkongerna).
I'm finding with Swedish, it is just a case of learning which, one is which and applying it correctly. We have a few words in English that, to someone who is learning, would find difficult to understand.
For example:
Apple = Apples
Child = Children
Mouse = Mice
Woman = Women
Person = People
Sheep / Fish = Sheep / Fish
All of these words are plurals, and in some cases, the plural form changes the way the whole word is pronounced. There's not always a specific rule in place, and if there is, then there are always exceptions. It's just the way that it is.
"Äpple" is an 'Ett' word, so it would be "Äpplet".
The plural and definite forms of nouns are explained here: https://www.duolingo.com/skill/sv/Plurals
830
No, 'the apple' is äpplet and 'apples' is äpplen.
The whole word is
ett äpple 'an apple'
äpplet 'the apple'
äpplen 'apples'
äpplena 'the apples'
