en bro
bridge
En konstruktion som gör att man kan gå eller köra över vatten, en väg eller ett tågspår.
Definition & meaning
The primary meaning of bro is a bridge. It refers to a structure built to span a physical obstacle, such as a body of water, a valley, or a road, providing passage over the obstacle.
In a figurative sense, it can describe something that connects two different ideas, groups of people, or distinct situations, acting as a link or a mediator.
In some regional Swedish dialects, particularly in northern Sweden and in older usage, bro can also refer to a porch, a small staircase, or the platform immediately outside the entrance of a house (often called a "farstubro").
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar: Bro is a common gender noun (en-word).
Word origin: The word descends from the Old Norse brú. It shares the same Germanic roots as the English word bridge and the German word Brücke. Historically, the term originally referred to a paved path or a log road used to cross swampy or difficult terrain.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- viadukt (viaduct/overpass)
- spång (a small, narrow footbridge or walkway made of planks)
- brygga (pier or jetty, sometimes used for smaller bridges over water)
- övergång (crossing or transition)
- förstukvist (specifically for the regional meaning of a porch)
Antonyms: While there are no direct opposites for a physical structure, words representing separation or obstacles can serve as conceptual antonyms:
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Examples
Vi går över bron varje dag.noun
We walk over the bridge every day.
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