Pronunciation: [svˈɛnskə] (IPA) 
The word "svenska" is the Swedish word for "Swedish". It is spelled as /ˈsvɛn.ska/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first syllable "sv" is pronounced as "sven". The letter "s" is pronounced as "s" and "v" is pronounced as "v" in English. The second syllable "ska" is pronounced as "ska". The letter "s" is pronounced as "s" and "k" is pronounced as "k" in English. Overall, the word is pronounced as "sven-ska".
Svenska, originating from the Swedish language, is a term that refers to the language itself or something related to the culture, history, or people of Sweden. Svenska is the word for "Swedish" in the Swedish language. It is spoken by approximately 10 million people as a native language and by several million more as a second language. It is considered a North Germanic language and is closely related to Norwegian and Danish.
The term "svenska" can also be used to describe anything Swedish, such as the Swedish cuisine, traditions, or art. Svenska has a rich history, with its earliest known written records dating back to the 13th century. The language has evolved over time, influenced by various factors such as neighboring languages and historical events.
Svenska is characterized by unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. It has a distinct sound system with pitch accents, where the pitch of a word can change its meaning. The language is known for its relatively high number of vowels compared to other Germanic languages.
Additionally, Svenska is the official language of Sweden and is used in various contexts, including education, government, media, and literature. It is taught in schools across Sweden, and there are several institutions dedicated to promoting and preserving the Svenska language and culture.
The word "svenska" is derived from the Old Norse term "sveinn", which means "youth" or "young man". The Old Norse language was spoken by the Scandinavian Vikings during the Viking Age (approximately 793–1066 AD). In Old Norse, "sveinn" was used to refer to the younger members of a community or tribe.
Over time, the term "sveinn" evolved into "sweinn" in Old English and "Sven" in Old High German. In the Norse sagas, "Sven" or "Svend" was a common personal name. The English word "swain", meaning "a young lover" or "country youth", is also derived from "sveinn".
By the 14th century, during the formation of the Swedish language, "svenska" emerged as the term to designate the language spoken in Sweden.
