Questions & Answers about Vi tvättar smutsiga kläder.
Why does the adjective smutsiga end in an -a here?
Because it describes a plural noun (kläder). In Swedish, when an adjective comes directly before a plural noun, you add an -a to the base form of the adjective. The base form for "dirty" is smutsig.
Does it matter if the noun is an en-word or an ett-word for this adjective ending?
No, and that is the best part about plural adjectives! Once a noun is in the plural, its gender (en or ett) no longer matters for the adjective. You simply use the -a ending regardless.
What is the singular form of kläder?
Just like the English word "clothes", kläder is almost always used in the plural. If you need to talk about a single item of clothing, you use a completely different word: ett klädesplagg (a garment / piece of clothing).
Does vi tvättar mean "we wash" or "we are washing"?
It translates to both! Swedish doesn't have a separate "are doing" verb form. Depending on the context, vi tvättar can mean "we wash" (as a general routine) or "we are washing" (happening right now).
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