ett vattendrag
watercourse
Definition & meaning
A vattendrag is a natural watercourse: a channel or route through which water flows, such as a stream or river. The word can refer to watercourses of different sizes.
Grammar & word origin
Vattendrag is a neuter noun: ett vattendrag. Its indefinite singular and plural forms are the same; the definite forms are vattendraget and vattendragen.
The word is a compound of vatten (“water”) and drag , related to the idea of water being drawn or flowing along a route.
Synonyms & antonyms
- ström can mean a current or a flowing body of water; it often emphasizes the flow rather than the channel.
- å usually means a river or stream of moderate size.
- flod usually refers to a large river.
- bäck refers to a small stream.
These words describe particular kinds or aspects of a vattendrag, so they are not interchangeable in every context.
There is no exact antonym. Stillastående vatten (“still water”) contrasts with flowing water, while sjö (“lake”) names a different kind of body of water rather than a true opposite.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Ett litet vattendrag rinner bakom huset.noun
A small watercourse flows behind the house.
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