Questions & Answers about Målet kan komma i endera halvleken.
Why is the noun halvleken in the definite form here instead of the indefinite form like in English?
When you use words like endera, vardera, or ingendera directly in front of a noun, Swedish requires that noun to be in the definite form. This feels unnatural to English speakers who say 'either half', but in Swedish it is literally 'either the-half' (endera halvleken).
Does the word endera change depending on the gender of the noun it describes?
Yes. Because halvlek is a common gender noun (an en-word), we use endera. If the noun were a neuter noun (an ett-word) like mål, you would use the neuter form ettdera, as in ettdera målet (either goal).
Is endera common in everyday spoken Swedish?
It is actually quite formal and mostly used in writing. In everyday conversation, a Swede is much more likely to say i någon av halvlekarna (in either of the halves). However, endera is very precise because it restricts the options to exactly two, which fits a sports context perfectly.
What does the word halvlek literally mean?
It combines halv (half) and lek (play or game). It is the standard Swedish term for a half in time-based sports, such as football, rugby, or basketball.