Breakdown of Du måste packa två par varma långkalsonger.
du
you (singular)
varm
warm
måste
to have to, must
två
two
packa
to pack
paret
the couple / the pair (of items)
långkalsongerna
the long johns
Questions & Answers about Du måste packa två par varma långkalsonger.
Why do we use par to count långkalsonger?
Långkalsonger (long johns) is treated like pants or trousers in English: it is a single garment with two legs. In Swedish, we count these using par (pair). Since par is an ett-word ending in a consonant, it stays exactly the same in the plural, which is why we say två par instead of adding a plural ending to it.
Why is there no word for 'of' after två par?
In Swedish, measurements and quantity words like ett par (a pair) or en liter (a liter) connect directly to the noun they describe. You do not use a preposition to mean 'of'. Therefore, 'two pairs of warm long johns' translates directly to två par varma långkalsonger.
Why is the adjective varma in the plural form here?
Even though you are using a quantity phrase (två par), the adjective must still agree with the main noun it describes. Since långkalsonger is plural indefinite, the adjective varm takes the plural ending -a.
Can I just say två långkalsonger instead of två par långkalsonger?
While people would understand you, native speakers strongly prefer två par långkalsonger. Saying två långkalsonger sounds just as awkward in Swedish as saying 'two long johns' or 'two trousers' does in English.
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