falla

Definition & meaning

The verb falla is a fundamental Swedish word with several related meanings:

1. To fall: To drop or descend from a higher position to a lower one, typically due to gravity. This can apply to physical objects or people (e.g., tripping).
2. To die (in battle): A formal or literary way to say that someone has died, especially in war or as a result of a tragic event.
3. To succumb or be defeated: Used figuratively to describe a government, a city under siege, or a person giving in to temptation or pressure.
4. To result or turn out: Used in specific constructions to describe how something ends or what the outcome of an event is (e.g., "domen föll" - the verdict was delivered).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

• Infinitive: falla
• Present tense: faller
• Past tense: föll
• Supine: fallit
• Imperative: fall

It is a strong verb, meaning it changes its stem vowel from 'a' to 'ö' in the past tense.

Word origin: The word originates from the Old Norse word falla, which shares roots with the Proto-Germanic fallan. It is a cognate to the English word "fall" and the German word "fallen".

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Rasa↗ (to collapse or fall heavily)
• Stupa↗ (to fall, often used for dying in battle)
• Sjunka↗ (to sink or drop)
• Dutta↗ (to fall slightly/falter)

Antonyms:

• Resa↗ (to raise or stand up)
• Stiga↗ (to rise or ascend)
• Öka↗ (to increase or rise)