än

än

"Än" means "yet," "still," or "than," depending on context.

In this context, 'än' is used as a comparative conjunction, introducing the second part of a comparison.

Jag är snabbare än du.

I am faster than you.

Here, 'än' serves the function of contrasting two actions or states, indicating preference or comparison.

Det är bättre att komma sent än att inte komma alls.

It is better to come late than not to come at all.

In this sentence, 'än' is part of an idiomatic expression, 'än mindre', used to emphasize the improbability or lesser likelihood of one thing compared to another.

Han kunde knappt simma än mindre dyka.

He could barely swim, let alone dive.