Questions & Answers about Ett brev är lättare än en bok.
How do we form the word lättare from the basic adjective?
The base word is lätt, which means light or easy. To make it comparative (meaning lighter or easier), you simply add -are to the end.
Ett brev is an ett-word. Does lättare need to change to match its gender?
No, and this makes comparative adjectives very easy! Words ending in -are never change to match the gender (en/ett) or number (singular/plural) of the noun. It is always lättare whether you describe ett brev or en bok.
Could lättare also mean easier here?
Yes! The Swedish adjective lätt means both light (in weight) and easy (in difficulty). While lighter makes the most sense when comparing the physical weight of a letter to a book, lättare is the exact same word you would use to say a test is easier.
What is the word än doing in this sentence?
The word än translates to than. Whenever you are comparing two things with a comparative adjective (like saying A is lighter than B), you use än to link them together.