Extremnära

Extremnära is a Swedish adjective meaning extremely close or in extreme proximity. It is typically used to describe physical distance, but can also convey a figurative sense of closeness in time, relevance, or importance. The term often appears in descriptive or technical prose, where a precise sense of near-elimination of distance or threshold is intended. In everyday language, many speakers prefer the adverbial phrase extremt nära, while extremnära functions as a true adjective that modifies nouns.

Etymology and form: extremnära is a compound of extrem- (root meaning extreme) and nära (near). The construction follows a common pattern in Swedish for forming adjectives that denote a high degree of closeness. As an adjective, extremnära can be used before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb: Avståndet var extremnära. Den extremnära närahet som beskrivs i texten är av särskild betydelse inom facklitteratur.

Usage notes: Extremnära is relatively formal and more common in written Swedish, especially in scientific, technical, or analytical contexts. In everyday speech, speakers might opt for extremt nära or nästintill nära to convey a similar meaning with a more common register. The term is most natural when the author wants to emphasize a boundary that is nearly reached or a condition that is almost fulfilled.

See also: Swedish vocabulary related to distance and proximity, such as nära, extremt, nästintill, and phrases that indicate thresholds or limits.

Note: While extremnära communicates a high degree of closeness, its exact nuance depends on context and the nearby nouns it modifies.