ett utland

Definition & meaning

The word utland refers to foreign countries or the state of being abroad. It is used to describe places outside of one's own country (usually Sweden).

In common usage, it is often used in expressions like i utlandet (abroad) or resa till utlandet (to travel abroad). While it literally translates to "outer land," it is the standard Swedish term for "foreign lands" or "overseas."

Grammar & Word origin

Utland is a neuter noun (ett-word).

• Indefinite singular: ett utland
• Definite singular: utlandet
• Plural: utland (rarely used in plural, as the concept is treated as a singular collective mass)

The word is a compound of:

• ut-: meaning "out" or "outside."
• -land: meaning "land" or "country."

It reflects the perspective of being outside one's home territory.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• utlandet ↗ (the most common form used in sentences)
• främmande land ↗ (foreign land)
• utrikes ↗ (foreign/abroad)

Antonyms:

• hemland ↗ (homeland)
• inrikes ↗ (domestic/internal)
• Sverige ↗ (Sweden - used when contrasting one's home country against the rest of the world)