gemensam
gemensam in 30 Sekunden
- Gemensam means shared or mutual, used for things like friends, goals, or rooms shared by multiple people.
- It changes form based on the noun: gemensam (en), gemensamt (ett), gemensamma (plural/definite).
- Do not confuse it with 'vanlig' (ordinary/frequent); gemensam only means 'shared'.
- It is a key word in Swedish culture, reflecting values of cooperation and the common good.
The Swedish adjective gemensam is a cornerstone of the Swedish language, primarily translating to 'common', 'shared', or 'joint' in English. It describes something that is possessed, used, or experienced by two or more people or entities simultaneously. Unlike the English word 'common' which can sometimes mean 'ordinary' or 'frequent' (for which Swedish uses vanlig), gemensam specifically denotes a collective nature or a mutual connection.
- Collective Ownership
- When individuals buy property together or share a bank account, it is referred to as being gemensam. For instance, a couple might have a gemensam ekonomi (shared finances).
- Shared Interests or Traits
- If two people enjoy the same hobby, they have a gemensamt intresse. This extends to abstract concepts like values or goals.
- Mutual Connections
- In social networking, a person you and another person both know is a gemensam bekant or gemensam vän.
Understanding the nuance of gemensam is vital for navigating Swedish social structures. Sweden has a long history of collectivism and 'folkhemmet' (the people's home), where the idea of the 'common good' (det gemensamma bästa) is frequently discussed in political and social contexts. It implies a sense of unity and cooperation that is deeply embedded in the culture.
Vi måste hitta en gemensam lösning på problemet.
The word is highly versatile and appears in various formal and informal settings. In business, you might hear about gemensamma satsningar (joint ventures). In a residential building, you will certainly encounter gemensamma utrymmen (common areas) like the laundry room or the courtyard. The term effectively bridges the gap between private and public life by highlighting the areas where they overlap.
Historically, the word entered Swedish from Middle Low German 'gemenesame', which is related to the English word 'mean' (in the sense of 'held in common') and the German 'gemeinsam'. This Germanic root emphasizes the 'togetherness' aspect. When you use gemensam, you are emphasizing that the subject does not belong to just one individual but is a bridge between many.
De har många gemensamma minnen från barndomen.
In summary, use gemensam whenever you want to describe something that is shared, joint, or mutual. It is a word of connection, cooperation, and collective identity.
Using gemensam correctly requires an understanding of Swedish adjective declension. Because it is an adjective, its ending changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes, as well as whether the noun is definite or indefinite.
- En-nouns (Utrum)
- For singular indefinite en-nouns, use gemensam. Example: en gemensam nämnare (a common denominator).
- Ett-nouns (Neutrum)
- For singular indefinite ett-nouns, use gemensamt. Example: ett gemensamt ansvar (a shared responsibility).
- Plural and Definite Forms
- For all plural nouns and all definite nouns, use gemensamma. Example: våra gemensamma vänner (our mutual friends) or den gemensamma nämnaren (the common denominator).
One of the most common sentence patterns involves the preposition för (for) or med (with). For example, 'Something is common for us' would be något är gemensamt för oss. If you are talking about having something in common with someone, you use the phrase ha något gemensamt med någon.
Vi har inget gemensamt.
In more complex sentences, gemensam often appears in the predicate position after verbs like vara (to be) or bli (to become). When used this way, it still must agree with the subject of the sentence. For example: Beslutet var gemensamt (The decision was joint) vs. Målen är gemensamma (The goals are common).
You will also see gemensam used in compound words, though it is often kept separate as an adjective. However, related words like gemenskap (community/fellowship) are very frequent. When constructing sentences about shared activities, gemensam adds a layer of formality and precision that words like 'ihop' (together) might lack.
De tog ett gemensamt kliv framåt.
Advanced learners should note that gemensamt can also function as an adverb in certain contexts, meaning 'together' or 'jointly'. For example: De äger huset gemensamt (They own the house jointly). Here, the '-t' ending is used regardless of the gender of 'huset' because it is describing the action of owning.
The word gemensam is ubiquitous in Swedish life, appearing in everything from legal documents to casual conversations over coffee. If you live in Sweden, you will likely encounter it daily in various practical contexts.
- Housing and Living
- In an apartment building (bostadsrättsförening), you will hear about gemensamma utrymmen. This includes the tvättstuga (laundry room), cykelförråd (bicycle storage), and trapphus (stairwell). Maintenance of these areas is a gemensamt ansvar.
- Workplace and Collaboration
- In office environments, managers often speak of gemensamma mål (common goals) and gemensamma projekt. It emphasizes that the success of the project depends on everyone's contribution.
- Social Media and Networking
- When you look at someone's profile on LinkedIn or Facebook, you will see a section for gemensamma kontakter or gemensamma vänner. This is the direct equivalent of 'mutual friends'.
In the news and political discourse, gemensam is a key term. Politicians often discuss den gemensamma välfärden (the common welfare) or EU:s gemensamma jordbrukspolitik (the EU's Common Agricultural Policy). It suggests a collective investment and a shared destiny.
Vi har en gemensam värdegrund i vårt företag.
In education, students might be assigned a gemensam uppgift (group assignment). In the kitchen, a family might share a gemensam måltid (communal meal). The word is so integrated into the concept of Swedish 'tillsammans-kultur' (togetherness culture) that it feels natural in almost any setting where more than one person is involved.
Listen for it in podcasts and television shows as well. When hosts interview two people who are related or work together, they often ask about their gemensamma historia (shared history). It is a word that builds bridges and defines relationships.
Sverige och Finland har en gemensam gräns.
While gemensam might seem straightforward, English speakers often trip up because 'common' in English has two distinct meanings that Swedish separates into two different words.
- Gemensam vs. Vanlig
- This is the biggest hurdle. English uses 'common' for things that are shared (common goal) AND for things that happen often (a common mistake). In Swedish, gemensam is only for the first meaning. For 'frequent' or 'ordinary', you must use vanlig. Saying 'Det är ett gemensamt fel' would imply that multiple people are making the exact same error together, rather than it being a frequent error.
- Gemensam vs. Allmän
- Allmän means 'public' or 'general'. While 'allmänna utrymmen' and 'gemensamma utrymmen' are similar, 'allmän' implies it belongs to the public at large, while 'gemensam' implies it belongs to a specific group (like residents of a building).
- Adjective Agreement
- Forgetting the '-t' for ett-nouns or the '-ma' for plural/definite forms. 'Ett gemensam intresse' is incorrect; it must be ett gemensamt intresse.
Another mistake is using gemensam when you should use the adverb tillsammans. If you want to say 'We did it together', you say 'Vi gjorde det tillsammans'. If you say 'Vi gjorde det gemensamt', it sounds more formal, like 'We did it jointly'. In casual speech, tillsammans is much more frequent for actions.
Fel: Det är ett gemensamt namn. (Unless shared by people in the room).
Rätt: Det är ett vanligt namn. (It is a common/frequent name).
Finally, be careful with the word gemenskap. While it is related, it is a noun meaning 'community' or 'fellowship'. Do not confuse it with the adjective. You cannot say 'Vi har en gemenskap bil'. You must say 'Vi har en gemensam bil'.
Fel: Vi har gemensamma om framtiden.
Rätt: Vi har en gemensam vision om framtiden.
To truly master Swedish, you need to know when to use gemensam and when a synonym might be more appropriate. Here is a breakdown of related words and how they differ.
- Delad (Shared/Divided)
- Delad comes from the verb 'dela' (to share or divide). While 'en delad vårdnad' (shared custody) is common, gemensam is often used for things that are unified, whereas delad can imply something split into parts.
- Ömsesidig (Mutual)
- This word is specifically for feelings or actions directed by two people toward each other. 'Ömsesidig respekt' (mutual respect) is more precise than 'gemensam respekt', though both are understood. Gemensam is more about the 'thing' being shared, while ömsesidig is about the 'reciprocity'.
- Kollektiv (Collective)
- This has a more formal or political tone. 'Kollektivt beslut' (collective decision) suggests a group process, often in a structured organization. Gemensam is more natural for personal or everyday shared items.
- Samfälld (Joint/Unanimous)
- Used in formal contexts, like 'samfälld aktion' (joint action). It is less common in speech than gemensam.
Choosing between these depends on the 'flavor' you want to give your sentence. If you want to emphasize that you and your partner share a bank account, gemensam is perfect. If you want to emphasize that you both like each other, ömsesidig is better. If you are talking about a group of people owning a forest together, samfälld might appear in the legal papers.
De har ett gemensamt intresse för segling.
Understanding these distinctions will help you sound more like a native speaker. While people will understand you if you use gemensam for everything, using ömsesidig or delad when appropriate shows a higher level of linguistic sophistication.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g' (like 'goat'). It should be a 'y' sound.
- Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
- Mispronouncing the 'e' as a short 'e' like in 'get' instead of a long 'e' sound.
- Forgetting to pronounce the 'm' clearly at the end.
- Mixing up the vowel sounds in 'sam' with 'som'.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Vi har en gemensam vän.
We have a mutual friend.
Gemensam follows 'en' nouns.
De har ett gemensamt barn.
They have a child together.
Gemensamt follows 'ett' nouns.
Vi äter en gemensam middag.
We are eating a shared dinner.
Indicates a collective activity.
Det är vår gemensamma bil.
It is our shared car.
Gemensamma is used with plural or possessive pronouns.
Har ni något gemensamt?
Do you have anything in common?
Standard phrase for finding shared traits.
Vi har en gemensam hobby.
We have a shared hobby.
Simple adjective use.
De bor i ett gemensamt hus.
They live in a shared house.
Ett-noun agreement.
Våra vänner är gemensamma.
Our friends are mutual.
Predicative use in plural.
Huset har en gemensam tvättstuga.
The house has a common laundry room.
Common term in Swedish housing.
Vi letar efter en gemensam lösning.
We are looking for a common solution.
Abstract usage begins at A2.
De har många gemensamma intressen.
They have many shared interests.
Plural adjective agreement.
Det var ett gemensamt beslut.
It was a joint decision.
Ett-noun agreement.
Vi har en gemensam bekant i Stockholm.
We have a mutual acquaintance in Stockholm.
Slightly more formal than 'vän'.
Det finns en gemensam nämnare här.
There is a common denominator here.
Idiomatic but common.
De äger en gemensam sommarstuga.
They own a shared summer cottage.
Indicates joint ownership.
Vi ska ha en gemensam fest.
We are going to have a joint party.
Shared event.
Vi arbetar mot ett gemensamt mål.
We are working toward a common goal.
Common in workplace contexts.
De har en gemensam ekonomi nu.
They have shared finances now.
Refers to joint bank accounts/bills.
Det är viktigt med gemensamma regler.
It is important to have common rules.
Plural usage.
Vi har gjort en gemensam satsning på export.
We have made a joint effort in exports.
Business terminology.
De äger marken gemensamt.
They own the land jointly.
Adverbial usage with -t.
Vi delar en gemensam vision för framtiden.
We share a common vision for the future.
High-level abstract noun.
Detta är vår gemensamma plikt.
This is our common duty.
Moral or social context.
De har en gemensam vårdnad om barnen.
They have joint custody of the children.
Legal term.
Projektet kräver en gemensam ansträngning.
The project requires a collective effort.
Professional context.
Vi måste hitta den gemensamma nämnaren.
We must find the common denominator.
Analytical usage.
Det finns en gemensam värdegrund i samhället.
There is a shared set of values in society.
Sociological term.
De fattade ett gemensamt beslut att sälja.
They made a joint decision to sell.
Formal action.
EU har en gemensam utrikespolitik.
The EU has a common foreign policy.
Political context.
Vi har en gemensam historia som sträcker sig långt bakåt.
We have a shared history that goes far back.
Historical context.
De gemensamma satsningarna har gett resultat.
The joint investments have yielded results.
Economic context.
Vi behöver en gemensam strategi för klimatet.
We need a common strategy for the climate.
Global issue context.
Den gemensamma nämnaren för dessa fenomen är stress.
The common denominator for these phenomena is stress.
Academic analysis.
De har en djupt rotad gemensam kultur.
They have a deeply rooted shared culture.
Cultural analysis.
Vi måste värna om det gemensamma bästa.
We must protect the common good.
Ethical/Political discourse.
Deras gemensamma intressen sammanfaller sällan.
Their shared interests rarely coincide.
Formal observation.
En gemensam europeisk identitet håller på att växa fram.
A common European identity is emerging.
Sociopolitical commentary.
Vi har utarbetat en gemensam ståndpunkt i frågan.
We have developed a common position on the issue.
Diplomatic language.
Den gemensamma nämnaren är bristen på resurser.
The common denominator is the lack of resources.
Problem-solving context.
Detta är frukten av vår gemensamma möda.
This is the fruit of our collective labor.
Poetic/Formal register.
Härvidlag krävs en gemensam kraftansträngning av oanade proportioner.
In this regard, a collective effort of unprecedented proportions is required.
Highly formal/Academic.
Den gemensamma nämnaren i hans författarskap är melankoli.
The common denominator in his writing is melancholy.
Literary criticism.
Vi agerar utifrån en gemensam värdepremiss.
We act based on a shared value premise.
Philosophical context.
De båda länderna har en gemensam förvaltning av naturresurserna.
Both countries have a joint management of natural resources.
Administrative/Legal.
Det finns en gemensam förståelse för de bakomliggande faktorerna.
There is a shared understanding of the underlying factors.
High-level analysis.
Den gemensamma nämnaren är ofta svår att identifiera vid första anblicken.
The common denominator is often difficult to identify at first glance.
Abstract reasoning.
Vår gemensamma framtid vilar på dagens beslut.
Our common future rests on today's decisions.
Rhetorical/Oratory style.
Det rör sig om en gemensam angelägenhet för hela mänskligheten.
It is a matter of common concern for all of humanity.
Global/Humanistic context.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— For the greater good of the group or society.
Vi måste offra oss för det gemensamma bästa.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To join forces or team up with someone for a specific purpose.
De gjorde gemensam sak med sina konkurrenter.
neutral— The one thing that different people or things have in common.
Gemensam nämnare för alla är kärleken till mat.
neutral— The common good; what is best for everyone involved.
Vi arbetar för det gemensamma bästa.
formal— Living or working together in the same place.
De bor nu under gemensamt tak.
literary— Not related to gemensam, but often used in shared contexts to mean someone is cunning.
Se upp, han har en räv bakom örat.
informal— To contribute one's share to a collective effort.
Alla måste dra sitt strå till stacken.
informal— Being in the same (usually difficult) situation together.
Vi sitter alla i samma båt.
neutral— A united front; showing a common face to the world.
Vi måste visa en enad front.
formalWortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Summary
The word <span class='italic'>gemensam</span> is essential for describing anything collective or shared in Swedish. Whether you are talking about a <span class='italic'>gemensam vän</span> (mutual friend) or <span class='italic'>gemensamma mål</span> (common goals), it emphasizes unity and cooperation.
- Gemensam means shared or mutual, used for things like friends, goals, or rooms shared by multiple people.
- It changes form based on the noun: gemensam (en), gemensamt (ett), gemensamma (plural/definite).
- Do not confuse it with 'vanlig' (ordinary/frequent); gemensam only means 'shared'.
- It is a key word in Swedish culture, reflecting values of cooperation and the common good.
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acceptera
B2Etwas akzeptieren oder annehmen. Er konnte die Bedingungen des Vertrages nicht akzeptieren.
adjö
A1goodbye
anförtro
C1Jemandem etwas anvertrauen. 'Ich <span class='italic'>anförtro</span> dir meine Kinder.'
artighet
B1politeness or courtesy
avbryta
B1Unterbrechen oder eine Aktion abbrechen. 'Es ist unhöflich zu avbryta.' 'Die Verbindung wurde avbröt.'
avböja
B2Ablehnen oder absagen. 'Er lehnte die Einladung höflich ab.'
bekant
A2Known to or familiar to someone.
berätta
A2Erzählen oder berichten. 'Erzähl mir eine Geschichte.'
beteende
B2Das Verhalten eines Individuums oder Tieres. Ihr Verhalten gegenüber den Nachbarn war immer höflich.
bjuda
A2to invite or offer something