Questions & Answers about Möglet gör maten möglig.
Why does the sentence use möglet instead of just mögel?
Because möglet is the definite form of mögel.
In Swedish, definiteness is usually shown by adding an ending to the noun:
- mögel = mold
- möglet = the mold
So Möglet gör maten möglig refers to a specific mold, or to the mold already being talked about.
A more general statement is also possible:
- Mögel gör mat möglig = Mold makes food moldy
That sounds more like a general truth.
Why is it maten and not mat?
For the same reason: maten is the definite form of mat.
- mat = food
- maten = the food
So the sentence is talking about a particular food item or a specific batch of food, not food in general.
Compare:
- Möglet gör maten möglig = The mold makes the food moldy
- Mögel gör mat möglig = Mold makes food moldy
Swedish often uses the definite form where English would use the.
What does gör mean here?