Questions & Answers about Äpplet är kallt.
Why is it kallt with a -t at the end instead of just kall?
Because the adjective is describing an ett-word (ett äpple). When an adjective describes a singular ett-word, we usually add a -t to the end of the base form (kall becomes kallt).
How do we get the word äpplet (the apple) from ett äpple (an apple)?
To say "the" in Swedish, we add a suffix to the noun instead of using a separate word. For ett-words that already end in a vowel, like äpple, we just add a -t to the end, making it äpplet.
In this lesson, we also learned "Det är kallt" (It is cold). Is kallt following the same rule there?
Yes! When talking about the weather or a general situation ("It is cold"), Swedish uses the dummy subject det, which is technically an ett-word. Because det acts as an ett-word, the adjective takes the exact same -t ending we see here with äpplet.
Is the k in kallt pronounced like a hard "k" or a soft "sh" sound?
It is a hard "k" sound (like in the English word "cold"). In Swedish, k stays hard before "hard vowels" like the a in kallt, as well as o, u, and å.
Learn Äpplet är kallt and more in Swedish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free