Breakdown of Jag hade ont i båda knäna för ett år sedan.
jag
I
ett
a, an (neuter)
i
in
ha
to have
året
the year
för ... sedan
ago (in 'för ... sedan')
båda
both (pronoun, e.g. both of them)
ont
pain / hurt
knät
the knee
Questions & Answers about Jag hade ont i båda knäna för ett år sedan.
Why is it båda knäna and not båda knän?
In Swedish, the word båda (both) is almost always followed by the noun in its definite plural form. So instead of saying both knees like in English, you literally say both the knees (båda knäna).
What is the singular base form of knäna?
The base word is ett knä (a knee). Because it is an ett-word ending in a vowel, its plural form just adds an n to become knän (knees). To make it definite plural (the knees), which is required after båda, you add an a to become knäna.
How does the phrase hade ont i work here?
The phrase ha ont i is a common set expression that means to have pain in or to hurt. Here it is in the past tense (hade), and it is followed by the preposition i (in) right before the specific body part that hurts.
Why are the words för and sedan separated by ett år?
To say ago in Swedish, you use a two-part time expression: för + [amount of time] + sedan. You always need both words acting like a frame around the time, which is why a year ago translates to för ett år sedan.
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