nännas

Swedish

Alternative forms

• naͤns (archaic)

Etymology

From Old Swedish nænnas, nænna, from Old Norse nenna, from Proto-Germanic *nanþijaną. Cognate to Danish nænne and Icelandic nenna.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /²nɛnas/
• Rhymes: -²ɛnas

Verb

nännas (present nänns, preterite nändes, supine nänts)

1. (especially in the negative) to have the heart or conscience to do something unpleasant or hurtful.
   • 1777 October 17, “Slute ſe tidn. N:o 38.”, in Carlſtads Wecko-tidningar, number 39, page 1:

     Cupido, naͤns du ſkada Flora?

     Cupid, do you have heart to hurt Flora?

2. (especially in the negative) to allow oneself

Conjugation

Conjugation of nännas (weak)

	active		passive
infinitive	—		nännas
supine	—		nänts
imperative	—		nänns
imper. plural1	—		nännens
	present	past	present	past
indicative	—	—	nänns, nännes	nändes
ind. plural1	—	—	nännas	nändes
subjunctive2	—	—	nännes	nändes
present participle		nännandes
past participle		—

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

Synonyms

• ha hjärta att

References

• nännas in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)