jätte

Jätte is a Swedish word with two main uses. As a noun, it denotes a giant or ogre, a being of great size in Nordic folklore and in stories for children and adults alike. In folklore, jättar are often portrayed as powerful beings who interact with humans, sometimes as threats, sometimes as helpers. The definite singular form is jätten and the noun is commonly encountered in fairy tales and fantasy literature.

As a prefix, jätte- functions as an intensifier. When attached to adjectives or adverbs it means “very” or “extremely” and is typically written as one word, for example jättebra (very good), jättestor (very large), jätteviktig (very important). The prefix is widely used in colloquial Swedish and appears in spoken language, media, and advertising, though it is less common in formal writing.

Etymology and background: The noun jätte derives from Old Norse jǫtunn, meaning “giant,” related to other Germanic words for enormous beings. The intensifying prefix jätte- shares the same root and has become a productive part of modern Swedish grammar, forming many common compounds with adjectives. In contemporary usage, both senses of jätte are well established and frequently encountered in everyday language, literature, and popular culture.