Svansen

Svansen is the definite form of the Swedish noun svans, meaning “the tail.” It is used to refer to the tail or caudal appendage of animals and objects that resemble a tail, and it appears in everyday speech, scientific writing, and descriptions of anatomy.

Grammar and form: In Swedish, svans is the common noun for tail; svansen denotes the definite singular form, and svansar is the indefinite plural, with svansarna as the definite plural. The term is used across biological contexts as well as in metaphorical language to describe a trailing or tailing part of something.

Biology and anatomy: The tail supports locomotion, balance, communication, and defense across various species. In mammals, tails vary greatly in size and structure; in birds, tails frequently bear feathers that influence flight and steering; in fish, the tail (caudal fin) drives propulsion. The term svansen is used in general descriptions and non-specialist texts, while more technical anatomical terms may refer to specific structures such as caudal vertebrae or the tail fin, depending on the context.

Cultural usage: The phrase gå med svansen mellan benen, literally “to go with the tail between the legs,” is a Swedish idiom describing behaving with shame or cringing. The word also appears in idiomatic expressions and descriptive prose to evoke a tail-like extension of a person or object, contributing a figurative sense of trailing or following behind.