The Suffix -bar (Able to be)
To describe what can be done to a product or material, Swedish uses the suffix -bar. Added to a verb stem, it works like the English -able or -ible.
For example, att justera (to adjust) becomes justerbar (adjustable), and att använda (to use) becomes användbar (useful).
| This adjustable chair is partly useful, partly cheap. | Den här justerbara stolen är dels användbar, dels billig. |
| The screen is replaceable, but not the battery. | Skärmen är utbytbar, men inte batteriet. |
The Suffix -aktig (Resembling)
To describe what something looks or feels like, add -aktig to a noun. This suffix translates to -y or -ish in English.
For instance, svamp (sponge) becomes svampaktig (spongy), and barn (child) becomes barnaktig (childish).
Like all adjectives, these agree with the noun they describe. Notice the -t ending when describing an ett word like materialet.
| This material feels spongy and leathery. | Det här materialet känns svampaktigt och läderaktigt. |
| A childish design was chosen for the new toy. | En barnaktig design valdes till den nya leksaken. |
The Suffix -mässig (Relating to)
To evaluate aspects of a product's design or market value, use -mässig. Added to a noun, it means "pertaining to," "related to," or "-wise" (as in design-wise).
| We see a quality-related difference. | Vi ser en kvalitetsmässig skillnad. |
Just as with the -t for ett words, remember to add -a for plural or definite nouns.
| Are there any design-related problems with the same model? | Finns det några designmässiga problem med samma modell? |
Putting It Together
These suffixes quickly expand your descriptive vocabulary. Just remember to apply standard adjective agreement—add -t for ett words and -a for plurals and definites.
| Are the washable pillows replaceable? | Är de tvättbara kuddarna utbytbara? |
| The decision is partly quality-related, partly price-related. | Beslutet är dels kvalitetsmässigt, dels prismässigt. |
