vintern

Vintern is the definite singular form of the Swedish noun vinter, meaning the winter season. It refers to the coldest period of the year and is used in everyday language, literature, and media to denote that specific season.

In Swedish grammar, vinter has distinct forms for definite and indefinite usage. The indefinite form is en vinter (a winter), while the definite form is vintern (the winter). The plural is vintrar, and the definite plural is vintrarna (the winters). The definite form vintern is typically used when the winter is understood from context or previously mentioned in the text.

Time frame and characteristics: In Sweden, meteorological winter typically comprises December, January, and February. Astronomical winter, which depends on the Earth's tilt and solstice timing, can extend from late December to late March. Winter in different parts of the country varies from milder, snow-prone conditions in the south to extended darkness and substantial snow in the north. Northern regions may experience polar night, while southern areas enjoy progressively longer daylight as winter progresses.

Etymology and cognates: Vinter comes from Old Norse vetr, with cognates in neighboring Scandinavian languages (for example Danish vinter, Norwegian vinter). The word reflects a common Germanic heritage for the season name across northern Europe.

Overall, vintern serves as the standard way in Swedish to reference the winter season as a definite, well-defined period within the yearly cycle.