ränna

Swedish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈrɛˌna/

Etymology 1

Probably from Old Norse renna, yielding also Icelandic renna, Norwegian renne, Danish rende; from Proto-Germanic *rannijǭ, Also related to Gothic 𐍂𐌹𐌽𐌽𐍉 (rinnō), Old High German rinna (both from *rinnǭ).

Noun

ränna c

  1. a narrow, natural or constructed channel (usually open at the top) that conveys or might convey water (or another liquid, or something that might slide along it or the like); a gutter, a chute, a trough, a flume, a channel, etc.
  2. a narrow fairway; a canal, a channel, etc.
    1. a channel (open channel in an ice cover)
      Synonym: isränna (ice channel)
Declension
Declension of ränna
nominative genitive
singular indefinite ränna rännas
definite rännan rännans
plural indefinite rännor rännors
definite rännorna rännornas
Hyponyms
See also

Etymology 2

From Old Swedish rænna, Old Norse renna, from Proto-Germanic *rannijaną. Originally causative of rinna.

Verb

ränna (present ränner, preterite rände, supine ränt, imperative ränn)

  1. to run ((back and forth) in a somewhat wild, hectic, or unruly manner – sometimes hyperbolically)
    ränna omkring
    run around
    ränna (runt) på stan och leta presenter
    run around town looking for presents
    ränna på krogen
    go to the pub all the time [disapprovingly]
    ränna efter kjoltyg
    chase after skirts (women)
    Låt inte ungarna ränna på stan
    Don't let your kids run around town
    ungdomar som är ute och ränner på nätterna
    kids [youth] who are out running around at night
    Bonden kom rännandes och spottade och svor
    The farmer came running, spitting and swearing
  2. to run, to thrust (drive with force)
    Han rände spjutet i fiendens rygg
    He thrust the spear into the enemy's back
  3. to run (into something, with force)
    Tåget spårade ur och rände in i en lada
    The train derailed and ran into a barn
Usage notes

Has a somewhat folksy tone, especially when used as a more general substitute for springa.

Conjugation
Conjugation of ränna (weak)
active passive
infinitive ränna rännas
supine ränt ränts
imperative ränn
imper. plural1 rännen
present past present past
indicative ränner rände ränns, rännes rändes
ind. plural1 ränna rände rännas rändes
subjunctive2 ränne rände rännes rändes
present participle rännande
past participle

1 Archaic. 2 Dated. See the appendix on Swedish verbs.

References