bördan

Bördan is the definite singular form of the Swedish noun börda, which means burden or load. The word can refer to a physical weight that someone carries, as well as to non-physical weights such as responsibilities, obligations, or emotional strain. It is commonly used in everyday language, reporting, and literary texts to describe what someone must bear.

Etymology and related forms

Börda originates from Old Norse byrða, with cognates in other Germanic languages that denote weight or burden. The concept is closely linked to the verb bära, “to bear,” and many idioms revolve around carrying or bearing a burden.

Grammar

Börda is an en-word (common gender) noun. Indefinite singular is börda, definite singular is bördan. Indefinite plural is bördor, definite plural is bördorna.

Usage

Bördan commonly appears in both literal and figurative contexts. Examples include a heavy physical burden or a heavy workload, as well as metaphorical loads such as guilt or grief. Common expressions include lätta bördan (to lighten the burden), bära bördan (to bear the burden), and ta på sig en börda (to take on a burden). The term is versatile in formal and informal Swedish.

See also

Synonyms include tyngd, vikt, last, and belastning. Related phrases emphasize endurance and responsibility, reflecting cultural associations with perseverance and obligation.

In summary, bördan denotes the definite form of a central Swedish concept: the burden, whether tangible or abstract, with broad usage across language and literature.