Questions & Answers about Vi är två inneboende i lägenheten.
Why is "inneboende" not pluralized if there are "två" (two) of them?
The word inneboende (lodger) belongs to a special group of nouns that end in -ande or -ende and describe people. These nouns have a zero plural, meaning their indefinite plural form is exactly the same as their singular form. It is en inneboende for one, and två inneboende for two.
What does the word "inneboende" literally mean?
It is a combination of inne (inside) and boende (living, or resident), coming from the verb att bo (to live). It literally translates to 'inside-living' and refers to a lodger, a roommate, or someone renting a room in another person's home.
If the plural does not change, how would I say 'the lodgers' in the definite form?
For these specific -ande and -ende nouns describing people, even the definite plural usually stays exactly the same as the singular! You simply add the freestanding plural definite article de before the word. So 'the lodgers' is simply de inneboende.
Why does the sentence say "i lägenheten" (in the apartment) instead of "i vår lägenhet" (in our apartment)?
In Swedish, when it is obvious from the context who the owner is or what is being referred to, the definite form is often used instead of a possessive pronoun. Since they are stating they are lodgers there, i lägenheten naturally implies the apartment they share.