Disken

Disken is the definite singular form of the Swedish noun disk. In contemporary usage, the word has two primary meanings: a set of dishes or dishware used for meals, and a storage device such as a computer hard disk. The intended sense is inferred from context.

Etymology and forms: Disk originates in Swedish from the same root as related Germanic words for a round object or plate. The definite singular form disken is created by adding the definite suffix -en to the base disk. The plural forms are diskar (indefinite) and diskarna (definite). Possessive forms include diskens (the disk’s) and diskarnas (the disks’).

Meanings and usage:

- Dishes or dishware: Disken can refer to the dishes collectively, for example when talking about washing or setting the table. Example: Disken behöver diskas. (The dishes need to be washed.)

- Storage device: In technical or computing contexts, disken commonly refers to a disk or disk drive, such as a hard drive. Example: Filerna ligger på disken. (The files are on the disk.)

Notes:

- The meaning can shift between senses in everyday speech, so listeners rely on surrounding words to determine which sense is intended.

- In modern Swedish, more specific terms may be used for clarity in technical contexts (for example, hårddisken for the hard drive), but disken remains common in informal talk.

See also:

- disk (linguistic and general concept)

- hårddisk (hard disk)

- diskett (floppy disk, historical term)