en maka
spouse
Att skapa, tillverka eller få något att finnas genom handling eller arbete.
Definition & meaning
The Swedish word make refers to a person's spouse or partner, specifically in the context of marriage or a committed relationship. It is gender-neutral but most commonly used to refer to a husband or a wife.
There are two primary ways the word is used:
- Spouse: Referring to a person to whom one is married.
- Counterpart/Match: In a broader, slightly more formal sense, it can refer to someone who is a complement to another or a peer (often used in phrases like sin like).
Grammar & Word origin
The word make is a common gender noun (en-word).
- Indefinite singular: make
- Definite singular: maken (the husband/spouse) or makan (the wife/spouse)
- Indefinite plural: makar
- Definite plural: makarna
Etymologically, the word comes from Old Norse maki, which relates to "equal" or "peer". It shares a root with the Swedish verb maka (to move/shift) and the adjective maklig (leisurely/comfortable), rooted in the idea of things "fitting" or being "suitable" together.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Äkta hälft make (idiomatic: "true half")
- Partner make
- Livskamrat make (life partner)
- Maka make (specifically wife)
- Make make (specifically husband)
- Frände make (archaic, relative/kinsman)
Antonyms:
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Examples
De två makarna satt tysta vid bordet.noun
The two spouses sat silently at the table.
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