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Questions & Answers about Ni är familjen.
What is the difference between ni and du since they both mean "you"?
In Swedish, du is the singular "you" (used when talking to one person), and ni is the plural "you" (like "you all" or "you guys"). Since this sentence uses ni, you are talking to a group of people.
Why does the word for "the family" end in -en?
In Swedish, the word for "the" isn't a separate word before the noun like it is in English. Instead, it attaches to the end of the noun! The base word for "family" is familj, which is an en-word. To say "the family," you add -en to the end, making it familjen.
Does the verb är change depending on who I am talking to, like "am", "is", and "are" in English?
No, and this is great news! Swedish verbs do not change based on the subject. Whether it is jag (I), hon (she), or ni (you all), the verb stays exactly the same. So är can translate to "am", "is", or "are" depending on the pronoun.
Why are we saying plural "you" (ni) are a singular "family" (familjen)?
Just like in English, "family" is a collective noun. Even though ni refers to multiple people, together they make up one single unit. So, familjen is singular even though the subject pronoun is plural.