Breakdown of De dyra presenterna är Lars armband.
vara
to be
dyr
expensive
de
the (plural, before adjective)
presenten
the gift
Lars
Lars
armbandet
the bracelet
Questions & Answers about De dyra presenterna är Lars armband.
Why do we use both De and the -na ending in De dyra presenterna?
This is a great example of double definiteness! In Swedish, when you use an adjective (like dyra) with a definite plural noun (the gifts), you have to mark the definiteness twice. You put the free plural article De before the adjective, and you also keep the definite suffix -na at the end of presenterna.
Why does the word dyr change to dyra?
The adjective dyr (expensive) takes the -a ending here for two reasons. First, it is describing a plural word (presenterna). Second, it is in a definite phrase (because of the word De). Both plural and definite adjectives take the -a ending.
How do you pronounce De in this sentence?
Even though it is spelled De, in spoken Swedish it is almost always pronounced like 'dom'.
Why is there no extra 's' or apostrophe for Lars?
To show possession in Swedish (like Lars's), you just add an -s directly to the noun, with no apostrophe. However, if a name already ends in an s, z, or x (like Lars), you do not add anything at all. It just stays Lars.
Doesn't armband mean just one bracelet? Why does it mean 'bracelets' here?
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