Questions & Answers about Kvällarna är kalla i staden.
How exactly do we build the word kvällarna?
The root word is en kväll (an evening). First, we make it plural by adding -ar to get kvällar (evenings). Then, to make it definite plural (the evenings), we add the suffix -na to that plural form, giving us kvällarna.
Why is there an -a at the end of kalla?
In Swedish, adjectives must match the noun they describe. Because kvällarna (the evenings) is plural, the basic adjective kall (cold) must take the plural ending -a, becoming kalla.
Why does staden end in -en instead of -na like kvällarna?
Kvällarna is plural (the evenings), but staden is singular (the city). The base word is en stad. To make an en-word definite singular (the city), you just add -en to the end. If the sentence were about multiple cities, it would be städerna.
Is staden the only way to say "the city"? I sometimes hear people say "stan".
You heard correctly! While staden is the standard written form, Swedish speakers very often shorten it to stan in everyday conversation. You will frequently hear people say i stan instead of i staden.
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