Breakdown of Programmet är skonsamt och maskinen är ljudlös.
vara
to be
och
and
maskinen
the machine
programmet
the program
skonsam
gentle
ljudlös
silent
Questions & Answers about Programmet är skonsamt och maskinen är ljudlös.
How is the adjective skonsamt formed?
It is built from the verb att skona (to spare or to treat gently) and the suffix -sam. The suffix -sam is often used to turn verbs or nouns into adjectives meaning 'tending to' or 'characterized by', much like '-some' or '-ful' in English. In this context, a program that spares your clothes is 'gentle'.
Why does skonsamt end with a -t here?
It gets a -t because it describes programmet, which is an ett word (neuter). The base form of the adjective is skonsam, and you must add a -t so it agrees with the noun it describes.
Does the suffix -lös in ljudlös work just like '-less' in English?
Exactly! The suffix -lös means 'without' or 'lacking'. By adding it to the noun ljud (sound), we get ljudlös, which translates perfectly to 'soundless' or 'silent'.
Why isn't there a -t added to ljudlös like there is on skonsamt?
Because ljudlös describes a different noun. While programmet is an ett word, maskinen is an en word (common gender). Therefore, the adjective ljudlös stays in its base form and does not take a -t.
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