søsteren

Søsteren is the definite singular form of the Norwegian noun søster, meaning sister. It refers to a female sibling and is used when the sister is known or specifically identified. The indefinite form is søster, and the definite singular is søsteren. In Bokmål, the plural forms are søstre (indefinite) and søstrene (definite). Possessive constructions include min søster, din søster, hennes søster, among others. The term is common in everyday speech, family contexts, and literature.

Etymology and related forms: Søster derives from Old Norse systir, and is cognate with Danish søster and Swedish syster. The Norwegian word shares these Germanic roots and reflects a long-standing kinship term across the Scandinavian languages.

Usage notes: The word functions as a neutral kinship term in Norwegian. It appears in personal references, family narratives, and educational or medical contexts when describing a specific sister. Like other kinship terms, søsteren can be used in compound phrases or extended expressions involving family relations. In colloquial speech, it can also appear in affectional or informal address between siblings.

See also: brother, sister, family.