natten

Natten is the definite form of the noun natt, meaning night, used in Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian. It refers to the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise, or to the night of a particular day.

Etymology and form: The word originates in Old Norse natt and is related to the English word night. In all three languages, the definite form is created by a suffix attached to the base noun: natt + en yields natten in Swedish and natten in Danish and Norwegian.

Usage: Natten is used to talk about the night as a known, definite period. Examples include Swedish sentences like "Natten var kall," Danish "Natten var kold," and Norwegian "Natten var mørk og kald." All three languages also use phrases meaning “at night” or “during the night,” such as "om natten" (Swedish: på natten) to refer to nighttime hours.

Cultural and linguistic notes: As a common noun, natten appears widely in literature, journalism, and everyday speech, often conveying associations with quiet, rest, or darkness. It is distinct from natt, the indefinite form meaning simply “a night,” and from related forms in other Germanic languages, such as Icelandic nattin/nóttin equivalents.

See also: natt, night, similar terms in Scandinavian languages.