Fjorton

Fjorton is the Swedish word for the number fourteen. It is a cardinal numeral used in counting, specifying quantities, ages, dates, and other numerical expressions in Swedish language and writing. The form fjorton is standard in contemporary Swedish and is used across everyday speech, education, and media when referring to the number fourteen.

Etymology and cognates

Fjorton originates in Old Norse fjórtán, which also meant fourteen. The word is cognate with other North Germanic languages, notably Danish fjorten and Norwegian fjorten, which share a similar form and meaning. In Swedish, the pronunciation and spelling have evolved to the modern fjorton, but the underlying concept remains the same as a count of fourteen. Like many Germanic languages, these terms reflect a structure that combines a reference to four with ten.

Usage and context

As a cardinal numeral, fjorton appears in ordinary counting, when indicating ages, years, or quantities, and in dates such as years or scheduled events. It is used in formal and informal registers alike. The word is typically not used in ordinal forms unless combined with an ending to form fjortonde (fourteenth). In mathematical and educational contexts, fjorton is the standard way to express the quantity fourteen.

Variants and related forms

Across closely related languages, equivalents exist with slight spelling differences, such as fjorten in Danish and Norwegian. These terms are mutually intelligible within the context of discussing the number fourteen, reflecting their common Germanic roots.