syv

From Old Norse sjau, from Proto-Germanic *sebun, from Proto-Indo-European *septḿ̥ (“seven”).

• IPA^(key): /syv/, [sywˀ]

syv

1. seven

• syver
• syvårig

• sju

From Danish syv.

• IPA^(key): /syv/, [syːv] (with protruded y, [y̫])

syv

1. seven (alternative form of sju)

The spelling syv was inherited from the Danish language from which Bokmål is partially derived, but was replaced in the official language norm by its Norwegian cognate sju in 1951. However, the Danish form remained in use alongside the Norwegian form and was reintroduced as an alternative spelling in 2005. This form is therefore linked to a more conservative and/or formal style of writing and is more likely to be used by writers who retain other Danish forms (e.g. hverken, tyve, tredve and efter).

The spoken Norwegian-Danish koiné language (“dannet dagligtale”) developed a new pronunciation in accordance with Norwegian pronunciation rules. It is thus read as if it were a Norwegian word, with a pronunciation that is significantly different from the Danish one.

• syvende