Breakdown of Smeden håller smedjan varm.
varm
warm
hålla
to hold / to hold on to
smeden
the blacksmith
smedjan
the forge
Questions & Answers about Smeden håller smedjan varm.
Why is varm used here instead of varmt?
Varm is an object predicative here. It describes the state of the object, smedjan (the smithy). Since smedja is an en-word and it is singular, the adjective takes the basic en-word form (varm). If the object were an ett-word, like huset (the house), it would be Smeden håller huset varmt.
Since smedjan is definite ('the smithy'), shouldn't the adjective be the definite form varma?
No, and this is a very common trap! When an adjective is used as a predicative (meaning it comes after a verb like 'is' or 'keeps' to describe a noun, rather than sitting directly in front of it), it never takes the definite '-a' ending. It only changes based on gender and number. So we say den varma smedjan (the warm smithy) but smedjan är varm or han håller smedjan varm.
Is håller the usual word for 'keeps' in this context?
Yes. While the most direct translation of hålla is 'to hold', the structure hålla [something] [adjective] is the standard Swedish way to express keeping something in a certain state. Another everyday example is hålla dörren öppen (keep the door open).
Are smeden and smedjan related words?