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A2 noun 13 Min. Lesezeit

län

Beispiele
Erklärung län in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'län' means 'county' or 'region'. You will mostly see this word on maps or when you are filling out a form with your address. Sweden is a big country, and it is divided into 21 parts called 'län'. You might learn the name of the 'län' where you live. For example, if you live in Stockholm, you live in 'Stockholms län'. It is an 'ett-word', so you say 'ett län'. In the plural, it is also 'län'. You don't need to worry about the complicated politics yet. Just remember that it is a way to describe a part of Sweden. When you travel by bus, you might see the name of the 'län' on the bus or at the station. It is a very common word in official places. You use the preposition 'i' with it. 'Jag bor i Stockholms län.' This is the most basic way to use the word. It helps you tell people where you are located in a more official way than just saying the name of a city.
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At the A2 level, you should understand that 'län' is an administrative unit. You will start to see it in compound words like 'länsstyrelse' (county board) or 'länstrafik' (county transport). You should be able to describe which county you live in and perhaps name a few others. You will notice that in Swedish, we often add an 's' to the name of the place before the word 'län', like 'Uppsala' becoming 'Uppsalas län'. This is the genitive form. You should also be aware that 'län' is a neuter noun (ett-word). This means the definite form is 'länet'. 'Länet är stort' (The county is large). You will hear this word in weather reports on the news. They might say 'I Stockholms län blir det sol' (In Stockholm County, it will be sunny). You are also expected to know the difference between a 'kommun' (a small town area) and a 'län' (a large region). A 'län' has many 'kommuner' inside it. This is important for understanding how Sweden is organized.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'län' in various contexts, including travel and basic administration. You should understand that the 'län' is responsible for things like regional buses and trains. You might need to use the word when talking about your rights or when visiting a doctor, as healthcare is organized regionally. You should also understand the distinction between 'län' and 'landskap'. While 'landskap' is for culture and history, 'län' is for the law and the government. You will start to encounter more complex sentences, such as 'Länsstyrelsen har fattat ett beslut' (The county administrative board has made a decision). You should also know the word 'landshövding', which is the person in charge of the 'län'. At this level, you can discuss the differences between different counties, such as their size, population, or nature. You should be able to use the definite plural 'länen' correctly in sentences like 'De norra länen har mycket skog' (The northern counties have a lot of forest).
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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of the 'län' system and its role in Swedish society. You should be able to discuss regional politics and the transition from the 'län' terminology to the 'region' terminology in the context of healthcare and regional development. You will understand that while 'län' is the geographical and state-administrative term, 'region' is the term for the elected political body. You should be familiar with the historical context of the 'län' system, which was established in the 17th century. You can use the word in formal writing and debates. For example, you might discuss 'länsindelningen' (the division of counties) and whether certain counties should merge to become larger regions. You will also encounter the word in legal contexts, such as 'länsrätten' (the old name for the regional administrative court, now 'förvaltningsrätten'). You should be able to handle complex compound words like 'länsmansgård' (historically a bailiff's estate) or 'länsomfattande' (county-wide).
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At the C1 level, you are expected to use 'län' and its related terms with high precision. You understand the intricate legal and administrative duties of the 'Länsstyrelse', including environmental protection, civil defense, and animal welfare. You can read and analyze government reports that use 'län' as a primary unit of statistical analysis. You are aware of the subtle differences in identity; for instance, how someone might feel a strong connection to their 'landskap' but a purely functional connection to their 'län'. You can discuss the 'statliga förvaltningen' (state administration) at the 'länsnivå' (county level) versus the 'kommunala självstyret' (municipal self-government). Your vocabulary includes specific terms like 'länsplan' (county plan) or 'länsresurser' (county resources). You can also discuss the history of the 1634 reform in detail and how it shaped modern Sweden. In professional settings, you can navigate the complexities of regional cooperation between different 'län'.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of the term 'län' in all its historical, legal, and social dimensions. You can engage in high-level academic or political discussions about the efficiency of the 'länsstyrelse' model versus a more centralized or more decentralized system. You understand the historical evolution from 'län' as a feudal fiefdom to a modern bureaucratic tool. You are familiar with archaic uses of the word in literature and historical documents. You can effortlessly switch between 'län', 'region', and 'landskap' depending on the specific context of your discourse, whether it be cultural, political, or geographical. You understand the implications of 'länsbokstäver' (the old system of letters on license plates) and other cultural touchstones related to the county system. Your ability to use the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, and you can interpret the most complex administrative jargon involving regional governance without difficulty.
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Beispiele

The Swedish word län is a fundamental noun in the Swedish administrative and geographical landscape. Translated most commonly as 'county' or 'administrative region,' it represents the primary sub-national level of government in Sweden. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone living in, traveling through, or studying the governance of Sweden, as it dictates everything from where you get your driver's license to how regional healthcare and transportation are organized. Currently, Sweden is divided into 21 of these entities, each serving as a bridge between the central national government and the local municipalities (kommuner).

The Administrative Core
A län is not just a line on a map; it is a functional unit of the state. Each one has a Länsstyrelse (County Administrative Board), which is led by a Landshövding (County Governor) appointed by the government. This distinguishes the län from the landskap (province), which is a historical and cultural entity with no administrative power.
Daily Life and Services
When Swedes talk about their län, they are often referring to regional services. For instance, public transport is usually organized at this level (like SL in Stockholm County or Västtrafik in Västra Götaland). If you are looking for a job or registering a business, the specific län you reside in will determine which regional offices you interact with.

Sverige är indelat i tjugoett olika län, som alla har en egen länsstyrelse.

Translation: Sweden is divided into twenty-one different counties, all of which have their own county administrative board.

Historically, the concept of the län dates back to the 1634 Instrument of Government, established by Axel Oxenstierna. Before this, Sweden was organized into 'landskap' and various fiefdoms. The län system was designed to centralize power and ensure efficient tax collection and military conscription. Even today, the boundaries of the län often follow these centuries-old lines, though there have been major mergers, such as the creation of Västra Götalands län and Region Skåne in the late 1990s. For a learner, it is vital to remember that while someone might say they are from 'Dalarna' (the landskap), their official documents will say they live in 'Dalarnas län'.

Vem är landshövding i detta län?

Translation: Who is the governor in this county?
Grammatical Behavior
The word is a neuter noun (ett-ord). Because it ends in a consonant and is a neuter noun, the indefinite plural is identical to the singular: 'ett län' (one county), 'många län' (many counties). The definite singular is 'länet' and the definite plural is 'länen'.

Många län i norra Sverige är till ytan mycket stora.

Translation: Many counties in northern Sweden are very large in terms of area.

In modern Swedish, the term Region is increasingly replacing län in certain contexts, specifically regarding the elected regional assembly responsible for healthcare. While the geographical area remains the län, the political body is the Region. For example, 'Stockholms län' is the place, but 'Region Stockholm' is the organization that runs the subways and hospitals. This distinction is subtle but important for advanced learners.

Polisen i Skåne län har ökat sin närvaro.

Translation: The police in Skåne County have increased their presence.

Detta är ett av Sveriges minsta län.

Translation: This is one of Sweden's smallest counties.

Using the word län correctly involves understanding its grammatical properties as an 'ett-word' and its frequent appearance in compound words. Because it is a neuter noun ending in a consonant, its inflection pattern is straightforward but requires attention to the definite forms. In sentences, it often acts as a specifier for a geographical location or an administrative jurisdiction. It is almost always preceded by the name of the specific county in the genitive form (ending in -s), such as 'Uppsala län' or 'Värmlands län'.

Prepositional Usage
The most common preposition used with län is i (in). You live 'i ett län', you work 'i länet'. Unlike 'landskap' where you sometimes use 'på' (on) for certain islands like Öland or Gotland, 'län' consistently takes 'i' because it is viewed as a defined administrative container.

Vi har nyligen flyttat till Västerbottens län.

Translation: We have recently moved to Västerbotten County.

When discussing the functions of the county, you will frequently encounter the compound word länsstyrelsen. This refers to the government body. In sentences, this word often functions as the subject, performing actions like 'granting permits' or 'monitoring wildlife'. Another common compound is länsgräns (county border), often seen on road signs when driving across Sweden.

När vi passerade länsgränsen ändrades landskapet markant.

Translation: When we passed the county border, the landscape changed significantly.
Plural vs. Singular
Because 'län' and 'län' are the same in the indefinite, you must rely on context or articles to know the quantity. 'Ett län' is one, 'två län' is two. In the definite plural, it becomes 'länen'. For example: 'De flesta länen i Sverige har en växande befolkning' (Most of the counties in Sweden have a growing population).

Beslutet gäller för samtliga län i landet.

Translation: The decision applies to all counties in the country.

In more formal or academic writing, län is used to describe statistical data. You might see phrases like 'per län' (per county) or 'länsnivå' (county level). If you are writing a report about Swedish demographics, you would categorize your data 'efter län' (by county).

Vem ansvarar för vägarna i länet?

Translation: Who is responsible for the roads in the county?

Det finns tjugoett län i Sverige.

Translation: There are twenty-one counties in Sweden.

Finally, consider the use of 'län' in the context of weather forecasts. Meteorologists often say 'i de södra länen' (in the southern counties) or 'över hela länet' (over the whole county). This is a very common way for Swedes to hear the word in daily life.

Compound Words to Know
- Länsmuseum (County Museum)
- Länstrafik (County Public Transport)
- Länssjukhus (County Hospital)
- Länsväg (County Road)

The word län is ubiquitous in Swedish public life, though its frequency varies depending on the medium. You are most likely to encounter it in formal news broadcasts, official documentation, and regional services. Unlike slang words that disappear in professional settings, län is a technical term that remains essential across all registers of the Swedish language. If you listen to the radio or watch the news, you will hear it every single day.

In the Media
Public service broadcasters like SVT (Sveriges Television) and SR (Sveriges Radio) have regional branches organized by län. On 'P4', the local radio channel, announcers will frequently say things like 'Här är nyheterna från Jönköpings län' (Here are the news from Jönköping County). Weather reports also use the term to specify where rain or snow is expected.

Det väntas kraftigt snöfall i Gävleborgs län under natten.

Translation: Heavy snowfall is expected in Gävleborg County during the night.

In the realm of transportation, you will hear the word 'län' constantly. When you buy a bus ticket in a city that isn't Stockholm, you are often dealing with 'Länstrafiken'. Announcements at train stations might mention that a ticket is valid 'inom länet' (within the county). If you are driving, you will see blue signs with white text indicating the names of the län as you cross their borders.

Välkommen till Kalmar län!

Translation: Welcome to Kalmar County!
Official Correspondence
If you live in Sweden, letters from the state will often mention your län. For example, tax assessments or voting cards will specify your administrative region. If you apply for a hunting license or a building permit for a large project, you will communicate with the Länsstyrelsen. In these contexts, the word carries a weight of authority and legality.

Ansökan ska skickas till länsstyrelsen i ditt hem-län.

Translation: The application should be sent to the county administrative board in your home county.

In casual conversation, people might use the word when discussing where they grew up or where they are going for a holiday, although they might favor the 'landskap' name for cultural reasons. However, if the topic turns to practicalities like 'Which hospital should I go to?' or 'How much is the regional tax?', the word län or its political counterpart region will inevitably surface. It is a word that anchors a person's physical location to the state's infrastructure.

Det här är ett av de mest tätbefolkade länen.

Translation: This is one of the most densely populated counties.

Vi körde genom tre olika län på vägen hit.

Translation: We drove through three different counties on the way here.

The most frequent mistake learners make with län is confusing it with landskap. While both can be translated as 'region' or 'province' in a loose sense, they are distinct systems. Sweden has 25 landskap (historical provinces) but only 21 län (administrative counties). Their borders often overlap, but they are rarely identical. For example, the landskap of 'Småland' is actually divided into three different län: Jönköpings län, Kronobergs län, and Kalmar län. Using the wrong term can lead to confusion in official contexts.

Confusion with 'Region'
Another common error is the interchangeable use of län and region. While they cover the same geographical area, län refers to the state's administrative division (headed by the Governor), whereas region refers to the local self-governing body (headed by elected politicians). If you are talking about healthcare or regional development, region is the more modern and accurate term. If you are talking about the police or the state's representation, län is correct.

Fel: Jag bor i Dalarna län.
Rätt: Jag bor i Dalarnas län.

Note: Most county names require the genitive -s when followed by the word 'län'.

Grammatically, learners often struggle with the plural form. Since län is a neuter noun ending in a consonant, the indefinite plural is just län. It is a mistake to say 'många läner' or 'många länerna'. The pattern follows: ett län, länet, flera län, länen. Another mistake is using the wrong article; it is always ett, never en.

Det finns många vackra län i Sverige.

Correct: The plural 'län' matches the singular 'län'.

Using the preposition 'på' instead of 'i' is another slip-up. You are i a län. You might be på a landskap like Öland, but the administrative entity is always i Kalmar län. This distinction emphasizes that the län is a jurisdictional boundary rather than a physical landmass.

Vi har haft problem med varg i länet.

Correct: Using 'i' to denote the area of the county.

Lastly, don't confuse län with lån (loan) or lön (salary). These words sound somewhat similar to the untrained ear but have completely different meanings. 'Län' has a long 'ä' sound, 'lån' has a long 'å' (like 'o' in 'more'), and 'lön' has a long 'ö' (like the 'u' in 'burn' but more closed).

While län is the precise term for a Swedish county, there are several other words used to describe geographical and administrative areas. Knowing the differences between these terms will help you sound more like a native speaker and better understand the nuances of Swedish geography.

Län vs. Landskap
As mentioned, landskap refers to the 25 historical provinces. They are used for cultural identity, dialects, and tourism. Län is for taxes, government, and law. You might say 'I love the nature in the landskap of Värmland,' but 'I pay my taxes in Värmlands län.'
Län vs. Region
In the late 20th and early 21st century, the political bodies of the counties were renamed Regioner. Today, 'Region' is the term for the organization that handles healthcare and public transport. 'Län' remains the term for the geographical area and the state's administrative presence. Often, they are used interchangeably in casual speech, but 'Region' is becoming more dominant in daily life.

Sverige har 25 landskap men bara 21 län.

Comparison: Highlighting the numerical difference between the two systems.

Other related words include kommun (municipality), which is the smaller unit within a län. A län typically contains many kommuner. There is also distrikt, which is a newer administrative unit used for population registration since 2016, replacing the old parish (församling) system. In a broader sense, you might use område (area) or trakt (region/vicinity) when you don't need to be administratively precise.

Varje län består av flera kommuner.

Hierarchy: Showing the relationship between county and municipality.

For international comparisons, you might use delstat (state, like in the US or Germany) or provins (province, like in Canada). However, a Swedish län has significantly less legislative power than a US state. It is more akin to a French département or a UK county.

Västra Götalands län är ett av de största i Sverige.

Example: Using the specific name of a large county.

Sjukvården styrs på regional nivå.

Alternative: Using the adjective form of 'region'.
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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Jag bor i ett län.

I live in a county.

Indefinite singular neuter noun.

2

Stockholms län är vackert.

Stockholm County is beautiful.

Proper name in genitive + län.

3

Vilket län bor du i?

Which county do you live in?

Question with 'vilket' because län is neuter.

4

Det finns många län.

There are many counties.

Indefinite plural (same as singular).

5

Här är länet.

Here is the county.

Definite singular (-et).

6

Ett län är en del av Sverige.

A county is a part of Sweden.

Simple definition sentence.

7

Jag åker buss i länet.

I travel by bus in the county.

Preposition 'i' with definite singular.

8

Mitt län heter Skåne.

My county is called Skåne.

Possessive pronoun 'mitt' for neuter noun.

1

Sverige har tjugoett län.

Sweden has twenty-one counties.

Cardinal number + indefinite plural.

2

Vi bor i Uppsala län.

We live in Uppsala County.

Common geographic phrase.

3

Vem jobbar på länsstyrelsen?

Who works at the county administrative board?

Compound word: län + s + styrelsen.

4

Är länet stort eller litet?

Is the county large or small?

Adjective agreement with neuter noun.

5

Jag har ett kort för länstrafiken.

I have a card for the county transport.

Compound word: län + s + trafiken.

6

De olika länen har olika flaggor.

The different counties have different flags.

Definite plural (-en).

7

Han flyttade till ett annat län.

He moved to another county.

'Annat' is the neuter form of 'annan'.

8

Länets största stad är Malmö.

The county's largest city is Malmö.

Definite singular genitive (-ets).

1

Sjukvården i länet fungerar mycket bra.

Healthcare in the county works very well.

Abstract subject with prepositional phrase.

2

Länsstyrelsen ansvarar för djurskyddet.

The county administrative board is responsible for animal protection.

Formal compound noun as subject.

3

Vi måste tänka på hela länet, inte bara staden.

We must think about the whole county, not just the city.

Adjective 'hela' before definite noun.

4

Det är stor skillnad mellan länen i norr och söder.

There is a big difference between the counties in the north and south.

Comparison using definite plural.

5

Hur många kommuner finns det i detta län?

How many municipalities are there in this county?

Demonstrative 'detta' for neuter noun.

6

Polisen samarbetar över länsgränserna.

The police cooperate across county borders.

Compound word: län + s + gränserna.

7

Varje län har sin egen landshövding.

Every county has its own governor.

Distributive 'varje' with indefinite singular.

8

Miljöfrågor är viktiga för länet.

Environmental issues are important for the county.

Adjective 'viktiga' in plural form.

1

Den regionala utvecklingen i länet styrs av nya mål.

The regional development in the county is guided by new goals.

Formal administrative language.

2

Länsstyrelsen bevakar statens intressen i regionen.

The county administrative board monitors the state's interests in the region.

Usage of 'bevaka' (monitor/guard).

3

Beslutet om vindkraftverk fattas på länsnivå.

The decision on wind turbines is made at the county level.

Compound word: län + s + nivå.

4

Det har skett en sammanslagning av flera län.

A merger of several counties has taken place.

Noun 'sammanslagning' (merger).

5

Länsmuseet visar utställningar om lokalhistoria.

The county museum shows exhibitions about local history.

Compound word: län + s + museet.

6

Arbetslösheten varierar kraftigt mellan olika län.

Unemployment varies significantly between different counties.

Adverbial 'kraftigt' modifying the verb.

7

Många pendlar dagligen över länsgränsen.

Many commute daily across the county border.

Verb 'pendla' (commute).

8

Länsstyrelsen utfärdar tillstånd för jakt.

The county administrative board issues permits for hunting.

Verb 'utfärda' (issue).

1

Länsstyrelserna har en samordnande roll vid kriser.

The county administrative boards have a coordinating role during crises.

Definite plural of a complex compound.

2

Den demografiska profilen i länet har förändrats markant.

The demographic profile in the county has changed significantly.

Academic vocabulary: 'demografisk', 'markant'.

3

Länsindelningen har diskuterats flitigt i den politiska debatten.

The county division has been discussed extensively in the political debate.

Noun 'länsindelning' (division into counties).

4

Statens närvaro i länet representeras av landshövdingen.

The state's presence in the county is represented by the governor.

Passive voice 'representeras'.

5

Kulturmiljövården är en prioriterad fråga för länsstyrelsen.

Cultural heritage preservation is a prioritized issue for the county board.

Complex compound 'kulturmiljövård'.

6

Infrastruktursatsningar planeras ofta på länsövergripande nivå.

Infrastructure investments are often planned at a cross-county level.

Adjective 'länsövergripande' (cross-county).

7

Länsstyrelsen utövar tillsyn över kommunernas verksamhet.

The county board exercises supervision over the municipalities' activities.

Formal phrase 'utöva tillsyn' (exercise supervision).

8

Detta län har en unik biologisk mångfald.

This county has a unique biological diversity.

Demonstrative 'detta' + indefinite noun.

1

Axel Oxenstiernas länsreform från 1634 lade grunden för modern förvaltning.

Axel Oxenstierna's county reform of 1634 laid the foundation for modern administration.

Historical reference with specific dates.

2

Den territoriella integriteten i länet upprätthålls genom strikt lagstiftning.

The territorial integrity in the county is maintained through strict legislation.

High-level legal terminology.

3

Länsstyrelsens befogenheter har genomgått omfattande revideringar.

The county administrative board's powers have undergone extensive revisions.

Noun 'befogenheter' (powers/authority).

4

Det råder en diskrepans mellan länsgränserna och de funktionella regionerna.

There is a discrepancy between the county borders and the functional regions.

Advanced vocabulary: 'diskrepans', 'funktionell'.

5

Länsresurserna allokeras utifrån socioekonomiska parametrar.

County resources are allocated based on socio-economic parameters.

Technical verb 'allokera'.

6

Landshövdingens ceremoniella roll har bibehållits trots administrativa förändringar.

The governor's ceremonial role has been maintained despite administrative changes.

Perfect passive 'har bibehållits'.

7

Länsstyrelsen fungerar som en länk mellan regeringen och medborgarna.

The county board functions as a link between the government and the citizens.

Metaphorical usage in a formal context.

8

Förvaltningen av kronans marker skedde historiskt sett via länen.

The administration of the crown's lands historically occurred via the counties.

Historical genitive 'kronans'.

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