Teven är trasig.

Breakdown of Teven är trasig.

vara
to be
trasig
broken
teven
the TV
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Questions & Answers about Teven är trasig.

Why is it Teven and not a separate word for the TV?

Swedish usually marks definiteness with a suffix. The base noun is teve (an en‑word), so:

  • Indefinite: en teve = a TV
  • Definite: teven = the TV So Teven är trasig literally means “TV‑the is broken.”
Can I write this with the abbreviation instead, like TV:n är trasig?

Yes. With the abbreviation you add the definite ending using a colon:

  • Indefinite: en tv
  • Definite: tv:n (also seen as TV:n) The colon is the standard way to attach Swedish endings to abbreviations and letter‑like forms (e.g., cd:n, USB:n). Style guides today prefer lowercase tv, so tv:n is a good default. Spelled‑out teven is also common and fully correct.
How do I pronounce the sentence?

Approximate guide (no IPA):

  • Teven: TEH‑ven (first syllable long; like English “tay‑ven” without the y-glide)
  • är: like English “air,” but with a pure vowel
  • trasig: TRAH‑see (final ‑ig is often pronounced like just ‑i) So: TEH‑ven air TRAH‑see.
Why is it trasig and not trasigt or trasiga?

Predicate adjectives agree with the noun’s gender/number:

  • Common gender (en‑words) singular: trasigTeven är trasig.
  • Neuter (ett‑words) singular: trasigtHuset är trasigt.
  • Plural (any gender): trasigaTevorna är trasiga.
What’s the gender of teve and what article do I use?
Teve is common gender (an en‑word). Use en teve (not ett). Definite singular is teven.
How do I say “The TVs are broken”?

Options:

  • Spelled‑out plural: Tevorna är trasiga.
  • More commonly with the compound: Tv‑apparaterna är trasiga. Some people write tv:arna for the plural of the abbreviation, but tv‑apparater is more idiomatic.
How do I negate it?

Place inte after the verb:

  • Teven är inte trasig. If you front something, keep inte after the verb: Idag är teven inte trasig.
Can I say Teven är sönder?

Yes, that’s very natural Swedish. Nuance:

  • Teven är trasig = the TV is broken/faulty (neutral).
  • Teven är sönder = idiomatic, maybe a touch more colloquial. For the event “broke,” use verbs: Teven gick sönder / Teven blev trasig.
What’s a more functional way to say it, like “The TV doesn’t work”?
  • Neutral/formal: Teven fungerar inte.
  • Colloquial: Teven funkar inte.
  • Formal/technical: Teven är ur funktion.
What would the past be?
  • Simple past (was): Teven var trasig.
  • Present perfect (has been): Teven har varit trasig.
  • Became/broke: Teven blev trasig / Teven gick sönder.
How do I refer back with “it is broken”?

Use the pronoun for an en‑word: Den är trasig.
(For ett‑words you’d use det: Det är trasigt.)

Why isn’t there a separate word for “the”?

Swedish typically uses a suffixed article (‑en/‑et/‑na) to mark definiteness:

  • en teve → teven
  • ett hus → huset You can also use a “double definite” with an adjective: den trasiga teven (“the broken TV” as a noun phrase).
What’s the difference between Teven är trasig and Den trasiga teven?
  • Teven är trasig: predicate adjective in a sentence (“The TV is broken”).
  • Den trasiga teven: attributive adjective inside a noun phrase (“the broken TV”). In attributive position with definiteness, adjectives take ‑a and you add den/det/de.
Do I ever drop är, like Teven trasig?

Not in standard sentences. You need the verb: Teven är trasig.
Headlines or notes might omit it, but that’s stylistic.

Should teve/tv be capitalized?
As a common noun, it’s lowercase in Swedish: teven, tv:n. It’s capitalized only at the start of a sentence or if you choose the all‑caps style for the abbreviation (TV:n), which many still do, though tv:n is recommended.