samler

Samler is a word used in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish with related but distinct functions. In Danish and Norwegian, samler can function as both a noun meaning a person who collects and as the present tense of the verb to samle (to collect). In Swedish, samlar is primarily the present tense of samla, meaning “is collecting,” while the noun for a collector is samlare.

Etymology and cognates

The term stems from the common Germanic roots for gathering and collecting, shared across the Scandinavian languages. It is cognate with English words related to collecting, reflecting a common linguistic heritage.

Usage notes

In Danish and Norwegian texts, samler as a noun refers to someone whose hobby or occupation is collecting objects such as stamps, coins, or antiques. As a verb, samler denotes the act of gathering or assembling. In Swedish, samlar is widely used as the verb “to collect,” and the typical noun for a collector is samlare.

Examples

Danish: Jeg samler frimærker. Han er en samler. Norwegian: Hun samler mynter. Swedish: Hon samlar stenar. For Swedish, the corresponding noun would be samlare (a collector), while samlar is the present tense form of samla.

See also

Collecting as a hobby; samlare (Swedish noun for a collector); at samle (Danish) and samla (Swedish) as verbs meaning to collect. The term demonstrates how a single root across Scandinavian languages develops slightly different grammatical uses in each language.