kamrater

Kamrater is a Swedish noun in plural form meaning “comrades” or “fellow members.” It denotes people who share a common purpose or situation, such as colleagues, classmates, or members of a group. The singular kamrat refers to a close friend or classmate; the plural kamrater emphasizes a group of such peers, often within a specific organization, workplace, or community.

Etymology and cognates: Kamrater derives from the older Swedish kamrat, itself borrowed from German Kamerad, meaning a companion in arms or a fellow member. Related forms appear in Danish kammerat and kammerater, and Norwegian kamerat and kamerater, reflecting a common Germanic root.

Usage and nuance: In neutral everyday Swedish, kamrater can simply mean peers or fellow students. In historical or political contexts it is widely used to convey solidarity and equality, notably in socialist and labor movements where “kamrater” functions as a mode of address among members. The term can also appear in military or scouting contexts to denote fellow servicemen or scouts. In contemporary prose, tone and context determine whether the word feels formal, affectionate, or carries political undertones.

See also: Related terms in other Scandinavian languages include Danish kammerat/kammerater and Norwegian kamerat/kamerater; Kamerad as a German equivalent.