en bekant
acquaintance
Någon eller något som man känner igen eller har träffat förut.
Definition & meaning
The word bekant primarily functions in two ways in the Swedish language: as an adjective and as a noun.
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As an adjective: It describes something or someone that is known, familiar, or recognized. For example, if you see a face you recognize in a crowd, you might say it looks bekant. It is often used in the phrase "bekant med" , which means "familiar with" or "acquainted with" a subject or a person.
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As a noun: It refers to an acquaintance—a person whom you know, but who is not necessarily a close friend. In Swedish social culture, there is often a clear distinction between a vän (friend) and a bekant (acquaintance).
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- As an adjective, it follows standard Swedish declension: bekant (common/neuter singular), bekanta (plural and definite).
- As a noun, it is a common gender noun (en bekant). In the plural form, it becomes bekanta (acquaintances).
Word origin: The word is derived from the Middle Low German bekant, which is the past participle of bekennen (to recognize, acknowledge, or confess). It is closely related to the Swedish verb känna , which means to know (a person or place) or to feel.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- känd (known/famous)
- förtrogen (familiar/intimate)
- van (accustomed/used to)
- vän (friend - though typically implies a deeper relationship than just being bekant)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Hon hälsar på en bekant i staden.noun
She is visiting an acquaintance in the city.
Jag träffade en gammal bekant på busshållplatsen i går.noun
I met an old acquaintance at the bus stop yesterday.
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