äkta

Äkta is a Swedish adjective meaning genuine, real, or authentic. It is used to indicate that something is not fake or counterfeit and to describe intrinsic qualities rather than merely appearance. The term can modify a noun directly, as in äkta guld (real gold) or ett äkta leende (a genuine smile). It can also appear predicatively after the verb vara: Det är äkta silver.

Opposite forms include oäkta, meaning counterfeit or fake, and the contrast is common in consumer contexts such as jewelry, clothing, fur, and other goods. Beyond objects, äkta can describe non-material qualities as well, for example ett äkta intresse (a genuine interest) or ett äkta engagemang (a sincere commitment).

Grammatically, äkta behaves as a regular adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies. In common usage you can say en äkta vän, ett äkta leende, eller äkta varor. It retains the same form in singular and plural when used attributively, while the accompanying article signals gender and number. In predicative position, it follows the copula, as in Det är äkta.

Etymology and relatives: äkta is a North Germanic word, cognate with Danish ægte and Norwegian ekte, reflecting a shared sense of real or legitimate. The term is widely used across the Scandinavian languages to distinguish genuine articles or characteristics from imitations or false claims.

See also: oäkta, äktenskap (related but distinct concept of legitimacy in family law), äkta vara (brand or concept emphasizing authenticity in marketing).