To express "another" or "other," use the word annan. Like most adjectives in Swedish, it agrees with the gender, number, and definiteness of the noun it modifies.
| Definiteness | en-words | ett-words | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indefinite (another/other) | en annan | ett annat | andra |
| Definite (the other) | den andra | det andra | de andra |
Indefinite Forms
For indefinite nouns, use annan for en-words, annat for ett-words, and andra for plurals.
| We must choose another shape. | Vi måste välja en annan form. |
| Can you compare this with another pattern? | Kan du jämföra det här med ett annat mönster? |
| Tomorrow we visit other cities. | Imorgon besöker vi andra städer. |
Definite Forms
When referring to specific alternatives (like "the other direction"), Swedish applies its double definiteness rule. Use the freestanding definite article (den, det, or de), the definite adjective (andra), and the noun with its definite suffix attached. Notice that the adjective becomes andra across all definite forms, regardless of gender or number.
| He usually walks in the other direction. | Han brukar gå i den andra riktningen. |
You will frequently see definite and indefinite forms used together to contrast options:
| The other shape shows another detail. | Den andra formen visar en annan detalj. |
| The other way fits in another context. | Det andra sättet passar i ett annat sammanhang. |
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