tolfte

Tolfte is the Swedish ordinal form of the number twelve. It is used to indicate the twelfth position in a sequence or to denote the twelfth day, month, or item in a list. The form is commonly seen in dates and in written descriptions where an ordinal is required.

Etymology and cognates: the word derives from the cardinal talvan "tolv" (twelve) and is formed with the ordinal suffix -te. Across other Scandinavian languages, related forms exist, such as Danish and Norwegian "tolvte," which share a common origin in Old Norse and Proto-Germanic roots for the word twelve. The Swedish form mirrors this family resemblance while adapting to Swedish spelling and pronunciation conventions.

Usage: in Swedish, tolfte appears before a noun or in a fixed phrase such as "den tolfte dagen i månaden" (the twelfth day of the month) or "den tolfte januari" (the twelfth of January). It is used in formal writing, historical texts, calendars, and when precise ordinal specification is required. In everyday speech, speakers may opt for context rather than a strict ordinal form in casual phrasing.

Morphology: as with other Swedish ordinals, tolfte agrees with the associated noun in the sense of position but generally remains the same in standalone use. When used in definite form or in compound expressions, Swedish syntax determines any necessary agreement or article placement.

See also: Swedish numerals, ordinals in Scandinavian languages, date notation.