Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swedish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Du har en liten katt.
Why is the indefinite article en used instead of ett?
Swedish nouns are generally divided into two main groups, often referred to as en-words and ett-words. Since katt belongs to the en-words, you must use the article en (not ett). There’s no straightforward rule for which nouns are en or ett; it’s generally something you learn over time, although there are some patterns.
How is the adjective liten placed before katt?
In Swedish, adjectives usually come before the noun they modify (just like in English), so you get en liten katt (literally: "a little cat"). In other contexts or with certain phrases, Swedish may place adjectives in different positions, but as a rule of thumb, you put them before the noun in simple sentences like this one.
Is du the only way to say you in Swedish?
Du is the singular informal form of you in Swedish. There is also ni, which historically was used either for plural or as a formal address, but in modern everyday Swedish, du is widely used for both casual and polite situations when talking to one person. Ni is still used as the plural you.
Why is har used and not är?
Har means have, indicating possession in this sentence: Du har en liten katt ("You have a little cat"). Är means am/is/are and is used for descriptions or states of being: Du är trött ("You are tired"). So har is correct because you are saying someone has a cat.
Does liten change form depending on the noun?
Yes, Swedish adjectives agree with the gender and number of the noun. For singular en-words, you use liten. For singular ett-words, you use litet, and for plural nouns, you use små. However, the base meaning is the same: little. Here, because katt is an en-word and it’s singular, you use liten.