Learn Swedish: Detta akvarium är dubbelt så stort som det gamla. - This aquarium is twice as large as the old one.

Detta akvarium är dubbelt så stort som det gamla.

This aquarium is twice as large as the old one.

Breakdown of Detta akvarium är dubbelt så stort som det gamla.

Questions & Answers about Detta akvarium är dubbelt så stort som det gamla.

How does the structure dubbelt så stort som work to mean "twice as large as"?

In Swedish, you form these comparisons by using a multiplier like dubbelt (twice), followed by så (as), the adjective, and then som (as). The word dubbelt acts as an adverb modifying the rest of the phrase, which is why it takes the -t ending.

Why do we use stort instead of stor here?

The adjective is describing akvarium, which is an ett word. Therefore, the adjective must take the neuter -t agreement ending to become stort.

Why is the noun indefinite in detta akvarium, rather than definite like in det här akvariet?

When you use the formal demonstrative pronouns denna, detta, or dessa for "this/these", the following noun must be in its indefinite form. If you used the more conversational det här, you would need the definite noun: det här akvariet.

How does det gamla translate to "the old one" without a word for "one"?