Fienden

Fienden is a noun in Swedish, Norwegian, and other Scandinavian languages that translates to "the enemy" in English. It refers to a person or group considered opposite or hostile in a conflict, competition, or adversarial situation. The term is used across military, political, legal, and everyday contexts to denote an opponent or opposing side, ranging from wartime foes to rival teams in sports or debates.

In Swedish grammar, fiende is the base form, with fienden as the definite singular. The indefinite plural is fiender, and the definite plural is fienderna. Similar grammatical patterns exist in related languages, where fienden is used to specify a particular enemy.

Historically and culturally, the concept of the enemy has been central to how societies frame conflict and mobilize collective action. Authorities and media often refer to the enemy to unify a population against a common threat, though such labeling can contribute to dehumanization or escalations in hostility. In literature, film, and other art forms, the enemy serves as a key antagonist or abstract force that characters must confront, shaping narrative tension and moral choices.

See also: Enemy (general term), foes, rival, adversary.