noun
en karl
man
En vuxen person av manligt kön.
Definition & meaning
The word karl has two primary meanings in Swedish:
- Man: An older or more informal term for a man, often implying a robust or sturdy character. It can be used similarly to the English word "guy" or "fellow."
- Free man: Historically, it refers to a "free man" or a "freeman" in the social structure of the Viking Age and the Middle Ages, distinct from the nobility (jarl) and the thralls (träl).
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is a masculine noun. It follows the declension: en karl, karlen, karlar, karlarna.
- Word origin: It derives from the Old Norse word karl, which shares the same Germanic roots as the name Karl (Charles). It is etymologically related to the English word "churl" (though the English word evolved to carry a negative connotation, whereas the Swedish word remains neutral or positive).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
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Examples
En karl går på gatan.noun
A man is walking on the street.
Två karlar väntar vid dörren.noun
Two men are waiting at the door.
Vem är den där karlen?noun
Who is that man?
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