The Suffix -skap
The suffix -skap forms abstract nouns, collective nouns, or states of being. It is the Swedish equivalent of the English suffixes "-ship" (as in friendship) and "-scape" (as in landscape).
Unlike many other noun suffixes, words ending in -skap can be either en-words or ett-words.
The En-word Exceptions
While most -skap words are ett-words, a handful of common abstract concepts are en-words. Their definite form ends in -skapen. Important ones to remember include vänskap (friendship), vetenskap (science), and egenskap (quality/trait).
| The friendship is important to us. | Vänskapen är viktig för oss. |
| Science is fascinating. | Vetenskapen är fascinerande. |
| It is a good quality. | Det är en bra egenskap. |
The Ett-word Majority
Aside from those exceptions, you can generally assume a -skap noun is an ett-word. Their definite forms end in -skapet. This includes words for communities, roles, areas, and underlying ideas.
| I enjoy the company. | Jag njuter av sällskapet. |
| The marriage is a long relationship. | Äktenskapet är en lång relation. |
| The landscape is beautiful in the winter. | Landskapet är vackert på vintern. |
| Do you understand the message? | Förstår du budskapet? |
| I would like to pay for the membership. | Jag skulle vilja betala för medlemskapet. |
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