This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B1 noun 7 min read

civilisation

Examples Notes & Tips civilisation in 30 Seconds
Explanation civilisation in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'civilisation' often. It is a big, academic word. However, you might recognize it because it looks like the English word. At this level, just know that it means a place where many people live together with houses, shops, and rules. You might hear it in a simple sentence like 'Jag bor i en civilisation' (I live in a civilization), although even that is a bit strange for a beginner. Focus on the fact that it is an 'en' word. Think of it as 'the city' or 'the big world' compared to the forest. You don't need to worry about the history or the philosophy yet. Just remember: en civilisation, civilisationen.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At A2, you can start using 'civilisation' when talking about travel or nature. For example, if you go camping, you can say 'Vi lämnar civilisationen' (We are leaving civilization). This shows you understand the contrast between nature and society. You should also start noticing the plural form 'civilisationer'. You might see it in simple history books or museum signs. At this level, you should be able to use it with simple adjectives like 'en modern civilisation' (a modern civilization). Remember the pronunciation: the 'tion' part is special in Swedish and sounds like 'shoon' but with a specific Swedish 'sj' sound.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At B1, you are expected to understand and use 'civilisation' in a more historical and social context. You should be able to talk about 'gamla civilisationer' (old civilizations) like the Romans or Vikings. You can use it to discuss the benefits of living in a modern society, such as 'Civilisationen ger oss trygghet' (Civilization gives us security). You are also becoming more aware of word families; you might see 'civiliserad' (civilized) used as an adjective. You should be comfortable with the definite and indefinite forms in both singular and plural. This is where you start using the word in classroom discussions or when reading news articles about world events.
At B2, your usage of 'civilisation' becomes more nuanced. You can use it in abstract debates about the environment or technology. You might say 'Vår civilisation är beroende av el' (Our civilization is dependent on electricity). You understand that the word can have a positive or negative connotation depending on the speaker. You can handle more complex sentence structures, such as 'Trots civilisationens framsteg finns det fortfarande krig' (Despite the progress of civilization, there are still wars). You should also be able to distinguish between 'civilisation' and 'samhälle' (society), using the former for broader, more epochal concepts.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At C1, you use 'civilisation' with precision in academic or professional settings. You can discuss 'civilisationskritik' (critique of civilization) or 'civilisationsprocessen' (the civilizing process). You are aware of the historical baggage the word carries, including its use in colonial contexts. You can use it in complex metaphorical ways. Your pronunciation is near-native, correctly handling the 'sj-sound' and the stress on the last syllable. You can read complex texts by Swedish philosophers or historians who use the term to describe the rise and fall of empires. You understand the nuances of the word in political rhetoric and can use it to build persuasive arguments.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'civilisation'. You can use it in highly specialized fields like archeology, sociology, or political science with all its theoretical implications. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about whether 'civilisation' is a natural progression of humanity or a social construct. You use the word effortlessly in all registers, from high-level academic writing to subtle irony in literature. You are familiar with how the word has evolved in Swedish literature and can identify its use in different historical periods. Your command of the word and its related forms (civilisera, civilisatorisk, civiliserad) is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples Notes & Tips

civilisation in 30 Seconds

  • A large, organized human society.
  • Often used in history and sociology.
  • An 'en-word' (common gender) in Swedish.
  • Pronounced with a 'sj-sound' for the 'tion' part.

The Swedish word civilisation refers to a complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, a form of government, and symbolic systems of communication such as writing. In Swedish, much like in English, the term is broad and can be used in historical, sociological, and everyday contexts. When Swedes speak about 'civilisationen', they are often referring to the organized world of cities, technology, and social norms, often contrasting it with 'vildmarken' (the wilderness) or 'naturen' (nature). For example, if someone has been hiking in the deep forests of Norrland for two weeks without phone reception, they might say 'Det ska bli skönt att återvända till civilisationen' (It will be nice to return to civilization).

Historical Context
In a historical sense, 'civilisation' is used to describe specific eras and empires. We talk about 'den egyptiska civilisationen' (the Egyptian civilization) or 'antikens civilisationer' (the civilizations of antiquity). It implies a level of technological and cultural advancement that distinguishes a group from nomadic or less centralized societies.

Arkeologer har upptäckt spår av en glömd civilisation i Amazonas regnskog.

Sociological Nuance
The word also carries a normative weight. To be 'civiliserad' (civilized) in Swedish suggests following social etiquette, showing restraint, and participating in the democratic processes of the 'rättsstat' (rule of law). When Swedish politicians discuss 'civilisationens värden' (the values of civilization), they are usually referring to human rights, democracy, and secularism.

Är vi verkligen en modern civilisation om vi inte kan lösa klimatkrisen?

Abstract Usage
Beyond physical cities, the word can represent the collective achievements of humanity. Philosophers might discuss 'civilisationens undergång' (the downfall of civilization) when debating existential threats like nuclear war or artificial intelligence. It represents the thin layer of order that protects us from chaos.

Romarriket var en av de mest inflytelserika civilisationerna i historien.

In summary, use 'civilisation' when discussing history, large-scale society, or the general state of human progress. It is a formal yet common word that spans from high-level academic discourse to casual jokes about wanting a hot shower after a camping trip.

Using 'civilisation' correctly in Swedish requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a noun. It follows the standard declension for nouns ending in '-ion', which are almost always 'en-words' (common gender) and take the suffix '-er' in the plural. The definite singular form is 'civilisationen' and the definite plural is 'civilisationerna'.

Subject and Object Positions
As a subject: 'Civilisationen blomstrade' (The civilization flourished). As an object: 'Vi måste rädda vår civilisation' (We must save our civilization). Note how the possessive 'vår' matches the 'en' gender.

Många tidiga civilisationer byggdes nära stora floder.

Prepositional Phrases
Common prepositions used with civilisation include 'i' (in), 'av' (of), and 'utanför' (outside). For example, 'I en modern civilisation...' or 'Tecken på civilisation'.

Utan lagar skulle vår civilisation kollapsa på kort tid.

Genitive (Possessive) Form
To say 'civilization's', simply add an 's' at the end: 'civilisationens'. Example: 'Civilisationens vagga' (The cradle of civilization).

Vi befinner oss långt ifrån närmaste civilisation.

When writing, remember that Swedish often uses compound words. While 'civilisation' is usually a standalone word, you might see 'civilisationskritik' (criticism of civilization) or 'civilisationshistoria' (history of civilization). In these cases, the words are joined directly without a space.

You will encounter the word 'civilisation' in various domains of Swedish life. It is not a word for toddlers, but any Swedish adult or student will use it regularly. Here are the primary places you will hear or read it:

Education and Documentaries
In Swedish schools (Grundskola and Gymnasium), the history curriculum is filled with this word. Documentaries on SVT (Swedish Television) like 'Vetenskapens värld' frequently discuss 'förlorade civilisationer' (lost civilizations) or 'rymden och utomjordisk civilisation' (space and extraterrestrial civilization).

Finns det intelligent civilisation på andra planeter?

News and Politics
Political commentators often use 'civilisation' as a shorthand for the Western democratic order. You might hear phrases like 'ett hot mot vår civilisation' (a threat to our civilization) in debates regarding security, climate change, or radicalization.

Efter tre dagar i tält längtar jag efter civilisationen och en riktig toalett.

Literature and Sci-Fi
Swedish science fiction and post-apocalyptic novels (like those by Karin Boye or modern authors) often explore the collapse of 'civilisationen'. It is a key theme in exploring what it means to be human when the structures of society fall away.

Boken handlar om hur en ny civilisation växer fram ur askan.

In summary, 'civilisation' is a high-frequency academic and social term. Whether you are watching a news broadcast about global conflicts or just complaining about the lack of Wi-Fi in a cabin, this word will serve you well.

Even though 'civilisation' looks almost identical to its English counterpart, learners often make specific errors when integrating it into Swedish sentences. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid:

The 'Ti' Pronunciation
The biggest mistake is pronouncing the 'tion' ending like in English (shun). In Swedish, the 'ti' becomes a 'ɧ' sound (the sj-sound). It should sound like 'siv-il-i-sa-ɧoon'. If you use the English 'sh', Swedes will understand you, but it will sound very foreign.

Fel: 'Civilisation' (med engelskt uttal). Rätt: civilisation (med sj-ljud).

Gender Confusion
Learners sometimes guess that abstract concepts are 'ett-words'. 'Civilisation' is an 'en-word'. Saying 'ett civilisation' is incorrect; it must be 'en civilisation'. Consequently, the definite form is 'civilisationen', not 'civilisationet'.

Glöm inte att använda en framför civilisation.

Synonym Confusion: Samhälle vs. Civilisation
Learners often use 'civilisation' when they actually mean 'samhälle' (society). While they overlap, 'samhälle' is more common for everyday social structures (e.g., 'det svenska samhället' – the Swedish society). 'Civilisation' is much broader and more historical or abstract. You wouldn't usually say 'vårt civilisation har bra skolor', you would say 'vårt samhälle'.

Använd 'samhälle' för lokala strukturer och civilisation för den stora bilden.

Finally, watch out for spelling. Swedish uses an 's' where American English might use a 'z' (though British English also uses 's'). In Swedish, it is always 'civilisation' with an 's'.

To enrich your Swedish, it is helpful to know words that are related to 'civilisation' or can act as alternatives depending on the context. Swedish has several words that touch upon the idea of organized human life.

Samhälle (Society)
This is the most common alternative. While 'civilisation' refers to the grand scale of human development, 'samhälle' refers to the specific community or nation. Example: 'Vi lever i ett demokratiskt samhälle' (We live in a democratic society).

Många förväxlar begreppen samhälle och civilisation.

Kultur (Culture)
Often used interchangeably in historical contexts, e.g., 'Mayakulturen' (The Maya culture) vs 'Mayacivilisationen'. However, 'kultur' usually refers more to the arts, traditions, and beliefs, while 'civilisation' refers to the infrastructure and social organization.

Varje civilisation har sin egen unika kultur.

Rättsstat (Rule of Law / Constitutional State)
When talking about the legal aspects of a civilized society, Swedes often use 'rättsstat'. It implies a society governed by law rather than the whims of individuals.
Världsordning (World Order)
In international relations, 'civilisation' might be replaced by 'världsordning' when discussing global structures and power balances.

Using these synonyms appropriately will make you sound more like a native speaker. Remember to choose 'civilisation' when you want to emphasize the grand scale or the contrast with a state of nature.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Denna rapport analyserar civilisationens påverkan på ekosystemet."

Neutral

"Romarriket var en fascinerande civilisation."

Informal

"Skönt att vara tillbaka i civilisationen efter hajken!"

Child friendly

"För länge sedan fanns det folk som byggde stora städer, det kallas en civilisation."

Slang

"Asså, den här orten har noll civilisation."

Fun Fact

The word only became common in Swedish (and other languages) during the Enlightenment in the 18th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sɪvɪlɪsaˈɧuːn/
US /sɪvɪlɪsaˈɧuːn/
Stress is on the final syllable: ci-vi-li-sa-TION.
Rhymes With
station lektion portion situation tradition operation reaktion inflation
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'tion' as 'shun' (English style).
  • Putting stress on the third syllable instead of the last.
  • Using a hard 't' sound in 'tion'.
  • Mispronouncing the 'i' sounds as 'ai' like in 'civilize'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of English cognate.

Writing 4/5

Spelling and 'en' gender require care.

Speaking 6/5

The 'tion' pronunciation is tricky for beginners.

Listening 5/5

Must recognize the sj-sound to identify the word.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

samhälle stad folk människa historia

Learn Next

demokrati kultur utveckling teknik politik

Advanced

ontologi paradigm sociopolitisk infrastruktur sekularisering

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -ion are 'en-words'.

en station, en lektion, en civilisation

Nouns ending in -ion form plural with -er.

civilisationer

The 'tion' suffix triggers the sj-sound (/ɧ/).

civilisation, operation

Adjective agreement with 'en-words'.

en gammal civilisation

Genitive 's' application.

civilisationens historia

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Här är en civilisation.

Here is a civilization.

'En' indicates common gender.

2

Jag ser civilisationen.

I see the civilization.

Definite singular form.

3

Är det en civilisation?

Is it a civilization?

Question structure with 'en'.

4

Huset är i civilisationen.

The house is in civilization.

Preposition 'i' followed by definite form.

5

Vi bor i en civilisation.

We live in a civilization.

Present tense verb 'bor'.

6

En stor civilisation.

A big civilization.

Adjective 'stor' matches 'en' word.

7

Var är civilisationen?

Where is the civilization?

Interrogative 'var'.

8

Hej civilisation!

Hello civilization!

Exclamatory use.

1

Vi lämnar civilisationen nu.

We are leaving civilization now.

Present tense 'lämnar'.

2

Det finns inga civilisationer här.

There are no civilizations here.

Plural indefinite 'civilisationer'.

3

Är du trött på civilisationen?

Are you tired of civilization?

Adjective 'trött på' + noun.

4

De hittade en gammal civilisation.

They found an old civilization.

Past tense 'hittade'.

5

Vår civilisation är modern.

Our civilization is modern.

Possessive 'vår' matches 'en' word.

6

Jag vill bo nära civilisationen.

I want to live near civilization.

Adverb 'nära' + noun.

7

Civilisationen är viktig.

Civilization is important.

Definite singular as subject.

8

Kan vi se civilisationen från berget?

Can we see the civilization from the mountain?

Modal verb 'kan'.

1

Romarriket var en stor civilisation.

The Roman Empire was a great civilization.

Historical context usage.

2

Civilisationen utvecklas hela tiden.

Civilization is developing all the time.

Reflexive verb 'utvecklas'.

3

De studerar antikens civilisationer.

They study the civilizations of antiquity.

Genitive 'antikens'.

4

Utan vatten dör en civilisation.

Without water, a civilization dies.

Conditional meaning with 'utan'.

5

Civilisationen kräver lagar och regler.

Civilization requires laws and rules.

Abstract noun as subject.

6

Människan har skapat många civilisationer.

Humans have created many civilizations.

Present perfect 'har skapat'.

7

Är vi en civiliserad civilisation?

Are we a civilized civilization?

Adjective 'civiliserad' from the same root.

8

Han längtar tillbaka till civilisationen.

He longs to go back to civilization.

Particle verb 'längtar tillbaka'.

1

Klimatförändringar hotar vår civilisation.

Climate change threatens our civilization.

Subject-verb-object order.

2

Civilisationen vilar på en bräcklig grund.

Civilization rests on a fragile foundation.

Metaphorical usage.

3

Vi måste försvara civilisationens värderingar.

We must defend the values of civilization.

Genitive form 'civilisationens'.

4

Tekniken är en del av vår civilisation.

Technology is a part of our civilization.

'En del av' phrase.

5

Arkeologer grävde ut civilisationen.

Archeologists excavated the civilization.

Verb 'grävde ut' (particle verb).

6

Hur definierar man en civilisation?

How does one define a civilization?

Indefinite pronoun 'man'.

7

Civilisationen kan inte existera utan samarbete.

Civilization cannot exist without cooperation.

Negative modal construction.

8

Många civilisationer har gått under i historien.

Many civilizations have perished in history.

Verb 'gått under' (to perish/collapse).

1

Civilisationens framfart har påverkat miljön negativt.

The advance of civilization has negatively impacted the environment.

Abstract noun 'framfart'.

2

Det finns en inneboende konflikt i varje civilisation.

There is an inherent conflict in every civilization.

Adjective 'inneboende'.

3

Civilisationen är en tunn fernissa över barbariet.

Civilization is a thin varnish over barbarism.

Sophisticated metaphor.

4

Vi lever i en globaliserad civilisation.

We live in a globalized civilization.

Past participle 'globaliserad'.

5

Författaren utforskar civilisationens mörka sidor.

The author explores the dark sides of civilization.

Explorative context.

6

Civilisationer föds, mognar och dör.

Civilizations are born, mature, and die.

List of verbs describing a process.

7

Kritiken mot civilisationen växte under 1900-talet.

Criticism of civilization grew during the 20th century.

Preposition 'mot' (against).

8

Är civilisationen en produkt av evolutionen?

Is civilization a product of evolution?

Complex philosophical question.

1

Civilisationens ontologiska status debatteras flitigt.

The ontological status of civilization is frequently debated.

High-level academic vocabulary.

2

Man kan se civilisationen som ett system av tecken.

One can view civilization as a system of signs.

Sociological perspective.

3

Civilisationens diskurser formar vår världsbild.

The discourses of civilization shape our worldview.

Plural genitive usage.

4

En civilisation mäts bäst genom dess behandling av de svaga.

A civilization is best measured by its treatment of the weak.

Passive voice 'mäts'.

5

Civilisationens kollaps är ett återkommande tema i dystopier.

The collapse of civilization is a recurring theme in dystopias.

Compound noun 'dystopier'.

6

Begreppet civilisation är djupt rotat i eurocentrism.

The concept of civilization is deeply rooted in Eurocentrism.

Critical theory context.

7

Civilisationen strävar ständigt efter ordning ur kaos.

Civilization constantly strives for order out of chaos.

Abstract personification.

8

Att dekonstruera civilisationen kräver ett kritiskt öga.

Deconstructing civilization requires a critical eye.

Infinitive as subject.

Common Collocations

västerländsk civilisation
antikens civilisationer
civilisationens vagga
modern civilisation
utomjordisk civilisation
civilisationens undergång
tecken på civilisation
en glömd civilisation
rädda civilisationen
civilisationens framsteg

Common Phrases

återvända till civilisationen

— Returning to a place with modern comforts after being in nature.

Det ska bli skönt att återvända till civilisationen.

långt ifrån civilisationen

— Being in a remote or isolated location.

Huset ligger långt ifrån civilisationen.

civilisationens bekvämligheter

— Modern comforts like electricity and plumbing.

Jag saknar civilisationens bekvämligheter när jag campar.

en civiliserad diskussion

— A polite and rational argument.

Kan vi ha en civiliserad diskussion om detta?

civilisationens pris

— The negative consequences of societal progress.

Stress är en del av civilisationens pris.

hot mot civilisationen

— Something that could destroy society.

Pandemier ses som ett hot mot civilisationen.

civilisationens historia

— The chronicle of human development.

Vi studerar civilisationens historia.

förlorad civilisation

— A society that no longer exists.

Atlantis är en mytisk förlorad civilisation.

civilisationens centrum

— The heart of a society or city.

De reste till civilisationens centrum.

utanför civilisationen

— Beyond the reach of organized society.

De levde helt utanför civilisationen.

Often Confused With

civilisation vs samhälle

Samhälle is 'society' and is used for specific communities. Civilisation is broader.

civilisation vs kultur

Kultur is 'culture'. A civilisation contains one or more cultures.

civilisation vs befolkning

Befolkning means 'population'. It refers to the people, not the structure.

Idioms & Expressions

"civilisationens fernissa"

— The idea that civilization is a thin layer hiding human's primal nature.

Fernissan är tunn när folk blir hungriga.

literary
"civilisationens vagga"

— The place where civilization first began (usually Mesopotamia).

Mesopotamien är civilisationens vagga.

historical
"civilisationens höjdpunkt"

— The era of greatest achievement for a society.

Vi befinner oss på civilisationens höjdpunkt.

rhetorical
"civilisationens slutstation"

— A metaphorical end to human progress.

Är detta civilisationens slutstation?

philosophical
"bygga på civilisationens ruiner"

— Starting something new after a total collapse.

De byggde ett nytt hopp på civilisationens ruiner.

poetic
"civilisationens ryggrad"

— The essential foundation of a society (e.g., laws).

Utbildning är civilisationens ryggrad.

metaphorical
"civilisationens ansikte"

— How a society presents itself or is perceived.

Detta är den moderna civilisationens ansikte.

descriptive
"vända civilisationen ryggen"

— To choose to live away from modern society.

Han vände civilisationen ryggen och flyttade till skogen.

narrative
"civilisationens mörker"

— The cruel or primitive aspects of society.

Vi får inte glömma civilisationens mörker.

serious
"civilisationens ljus"

— The knowledge and progress brought by society.

De ville sprida civilisationens ljus till fjärran länder.

historical/dated

Easily Confused

civilisation vs civiliserad

It's the adjective form.

Use 'civilisation' as the noun (the thing) and 'civiliserad' as the description.

Han är en civiliserad man i en vild civilisation.

civilisation vs civil

Looks similar.

'Civil' usually means non-military or polite, not the whole society.

Han jobbar som civilanställd.

civilisation vs civila

Plural adjective.

Refers to 'civilians' (people not in the military).

Många civila dog i kriget.

civilisation vs civilrätt

Legal term.

Refers to 'civil law', a specific part of the legal system.

Vi studerar civilrätt på universitetet.

civilisation vs civilstånd

Personal status.

Refers to marital status (single, married).

Vad är ditt civilstånd?

Sentence Patterns

A1

Här är [noun].

Här är en civilisation.

A2

Jag gillar inte [noun]en.

Jag gillar inte civilisationen.

B1

[Noun]en var mycket [adjective].

Civilisationen var mycket stor.

B2

Utan [noun] skulle vi [verb].

Utan civilisation skulle vi svälta.

C1

Det är ett hot mot [noun]en.

Det är ett hot mot civilisationen.

C2

[Noun]ens [noun] är [adjective].

Civilisationens fortlevnad är osäker.

B1

De hittade spår av [noun].

De hittade spår av civilisation.

B2

Hur kan [noun]en [verb]?

Hur kan civilisationen överleva?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

Sign up free to see all examples

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media and education.

Common Mistakes
  • Ett civilisation → En civilisation

    'Civilisation' i

Tips

Master the Sj-sound

Practice the ending '-tion' as '-shoon'. It's the key to sounding Swedish.

The -ion Rule

Remember that 99% of words ending in -ion are 'en-words'. This helps with many words!

Samhälle vs Civilisation

Use 'samhälle' for 'society' and 'civilisation' for 'civilization'. Don't swap them too often.

Compound Words

Swedish loves compounds. Don't be afraid to write 'civilisationshistoria' as one word.

The Nature Contrast

Use the word when talking about coming home from a long hike to sound very natural.

Use in History

When talking about the Vikings or Romans, 'civilisation' is the perfect word.

Listen for Stress

The stress is always at the end. If you hear 'TION', you know it's an -ion word.

Visual Link

Link the word to a picture of a pyramid and a skyscraper together.

Polite Debate

Use 'civiliserad' when you want to ask people to be polite in a discussion.

Formal Tone

This is a great word to use in essays to sound more professional.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Civil Station' - a station where people are civil and organized. Civili-sa-tion.

Visual Association

Imagine a dense city with tall buildings and a book of laws in the center.

Word Web

Stad Lagar Kultur Teknik Historia Samhälle Människa Framsteg

Challenge

Try to use 'civilisation' in a sentence about your favorite historical period.

Word Origin

Derived from the French word 'civilisation', which comes from the verb 'civiliser'.

Original meaning: The act of becoming 'civil', from the Latin 'civilis' (relating to a citizen).

Indo-European (via Latin and French).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'civiliserad' to describe people, as it can imply that others are 'uncivilized', which has colonial connotations.

English speakers use 'civilization' similarly, but Swedish 'samhälle' is a more frequent choice for 'society'.

Civilization (the video game series, very popular in Sweden) 'Civilisationens undergång' (common book/movie theme) SVT documentaries on history.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

History Class

  • antikens civilisationer
  • arkeologiska fynd
  • civilisationens fall

Camping/Hiking

  • tillbaka till civilisationen
  • långt ifrån folk
  • sakna el

News/Politics

  • hot mot civilisationen
  • demokratiska värden
  • global ordning

Sci-Fi/Movies

  • utomjordisk civilisation
  • civilisationens undergång
  • efter katastrofen

Sociology

  • civilisationsprocessen
  • social struktur
  • urbanisering

Conversation Starters

"Vilken antik civilisation tycker du är mest intressant?"

"Tror du att vår civilisation kommer att finnas kvar om tusen år?"

"Vad är det första du saknar från civilisationen när du är i skogen?"

"Kan en civilisation överleva utan internet idag?"

"Finns det intelligent civilisation på andra planeter?"

Journal Prompts

Beskriv vad ordet 'civilisation' betyder för dig.

Om du fick bygga en ny civilisation, vilka lagar skulle du ha?

Är vi mer civiliserade idag än för tusen år sedan? Varför?

Hur påverkar tekniken vår moderna civilisation?

Skriv om en gång du var långt ifrån civilisationen.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is an 'en' word. You say 'en civilisation' and 'civilisationen'.

It is pronounced with the Swedish sj-sound, similar to 'sh' but further back in the throat, followed by 'oon'. /ɧuːn/

Yes, but 'samhälle' is more common for everyday talk about laws and people in a specific country.

The plural is 'civilisationer' (indefinite) and 'civilisationerna' (definite).

In Swedish, it is always spelled with an 's': civilisation.

It means 'the cradle of civilization', referring to where organized society first began.

Yes, it is common in news, history books, and formal discussions.

It's a common phrase used when returning to modern life (cities, tech) after being in nature.

Civilization usually refers to the physical and social infrastructure, while culture refers to the beliefs and arts.

Usually yes, it means polite or advanced, but it can be used sarcastically.

Sign up free for tips & notes

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

civilisation French civilisation Danish
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!