Questions & Answers about Kanten på vasen är för tjock.
Why is kanten one word, and what does -en mean?
Kanten is the definite singular form of en kant.
- en kant = an edge / a rim
- kanten = the edge / the rim
In Swedish, the definite article is usually added to the end of the noun as a suffix, instead of being a separate word like the in English.
So:
- en vas = a vase
- vasen = the vase
and
- en kant = an edge
- kanten = the edge
Why does Swedish use på here? Why not something that directly means of?
In Swedish, på is very commonly used in expressions like the edge of the vase, the lid of the jar, the roof of the house, especially when talking about a physical part of something.
So:
- kanten på vasen = the edge/rim of the vase
- literally something like the edge on the vase
This is a normal Swedish structure. English prefers of, but Swedish often uses på in these situations.
Similar examples:
- locket på burken = the lid of the jar
- taket på huset = the roof of the house
- dörren på bilen = the door of the car