Breakdown of Den här muggen är fin, så jag köper en likadan.
jag
I
vara
to be
en
a, an (common)
fin
nice
köpa
to buy
den här
this (en)
så
so
likadan
identical
muggen
the mug
Questions & Answers about Den här muggen är fin, så jag köper en likadan.
Why do we use likadan here instead of likadant or likadana?
The word likadan refers back to muggen (the mug), which is an en-word (en mugg). Because it is a singular en-word, we use the base form likadan. If we were talking about an ett-word like ett glas (a glass), we would use ett likadant, and for plurals we would use likadana.
The translation says 'an identical one'. Why isn't there a Swedish word for 'one' at the end of the sentence?
In Swedish, words like likadan can act as pronouns that stand completely on their own. You don't need to add a dummy word like 'one' after them. En likadan carries the full meaning of 'an identical one' or 'one of the same kind'.
Why does mugg have the definite ending -en in den här muggen if the translation is just 'this mug'?
This is a classic Swedish rule: whenever you use the pointing words den här (this) or den där (that), the noun that follows must be in the definite form. You are literally saying 'this here the-mug'.
Can likadan also mean 'similar'?
Likadan is usually stronger than 'similar'; it means 'identical' or 'of the exact same kind'. If you wanted to say you were buying a similar mug (but not necessarily the exact same design), you would use a word like liknande instead.
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