Jäm

Jäm is a Swedish root meaning equal or even. In contemporary Swedish, the standalone form is rare; the morpheme appears mainly in compounds and fixed phrases that express parity or sameness. The root is found in adjectives such as jämn (even, flat), and in nouns and verbs such as jämför (to compare), jämställd (equal in status), and jämvikt (equilibrium). In a range of expressions it conveys the idea of balance or equivalence, for example jämviktsläge (balance position) or jämför priset (compare the price).

Origins and cognates: The root is cognate with Danish jævn and Norwegian jevn, and is related to the broader Germanic family concept of sameness or evenness. Across the Scandinavian languages, similar words express flatness (jämn) and equality (jämställdhet).

Usage notes: "Jäm" by itself is not a general everyday adjective; "jämn" is used to describe physical smoothness or flatness, while "jäm" appears primarily in compounds and set phrases. In mathematical or formal contexts, Swedish typically uses "lika med" or "lika" to denote equality rather than "jäm." The word is commonly encountered in discussions of equality, balance, and comparison, especially in terms such as jämställdhet, jämvikt, and jämförande analysis.