nounadjective

en tunga

tongue

Definition & meaning

The word tunga in Swedish has two primary functions depending on whether it is used as a noun or as a form of an adjective.

As a noun:

Anatomy: It refers to the muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking.
Shape: It describes objects with a shape similar to a tongue, such as the part of a shoe under the laces () or a narrow strip of land extending into a body of water ().
Language: In a formal or poetic sense, it can refer to a language or a way of speaking, similar to the English expression "mother tongue" ().

As an adjective: Tunga is the plural form and the definite singular form of the adjective , which means heavy. It is used to describe objects of great physical weight or to describe something metaphorically difficult, serious, or burdensome.

Grammar & Word origin

Noun:

Gender: Common gender (en-word).
Inflections: The indefinite singular is tunga, the definite singular is tungan, the indefinite plural is tungor, and the definite plural is tungorna.
Origin: It stems from the Old Norse tunga, sharing a common Germanic root with the English word tongue and the German Zunge.

Adjective:

Inflection: It is the form of used for plural nouns (e.g., - heavy stones) and for definite singular/plural constructions (e.g., den - the heavy bag).
Origin: It comes from the Old Norse þungr.