Imagine you’re proofreading a text and suddenly you need to mention several versions of the letter b — maybe you’re comparing typefaces or explaining spelling patterns. Then comes the question that haunts every careful Swedish writer sooner or later: how do you pluralize a letter?
It turns out there’s a rule, and it’s surprisingly logical once you see it.
When Letters Act Like Words
When Swedish treats letters or symbols as grammatical objects — like when you say “ett b” — the language doesn’t stop being a stickler for its own endings. That b has to behave like any other ett-word. And because “b” really represents the sound be, it follows the same plural pattern as words ending in a vowel. In other words, if ett äpple becomes flera äpplen and de där äpplena, then ett be would turn into flera ben and de där bena.
Think of “Ben”
That’s where Adam Horn’s clever little hint comes in. When you’re typing about letters, just think of “ben” — the plural of “be”. That mental picture helps you form the correct endings:
- flera b:n (indefinite plural)
- de där b:na (definite plural)
The colon, sitting politely between the letter and the ending, isn’t decoration. It’s a necessity. Without it, the word would look like a typo — or like you’ve accidentally attached the ending to the wrong place. In Swedish typography, that tiny mark keeps the symbol separate from the grammar, a small visual pause that says, “This is about form, not sound.”
Other Examples
You’ll see the same trick pop up elsewhere:
- två cd:n
- de gamla cd:na
- a:et i “kaffe.”
Whether it’s an abbreviation, a number, or even an emoji, the colon stands guard, helping written Swedish juggle two worlds — the visual world of signs and the grammatical world of endings.
A Simple Mnemonic
So the next time you’re writing and stumble on how to pluralize a letter, remember this: even the alphabet follows the rules. Those humble colons and endings are what let Swedish keep its balance between sense and shape.
And if you ever forget, just picture a little row of “ben.” That’s your clue — and now, your mnemonic — for every future b:n you’ll ever need.
