Krævende

Krævende is a Danish adjective meaning demanding or requiring substantial effort, time, or resources. It is used to describe tasks, situations, or people that impose high standards or demand a lot from those involved. In everyday language it often conveys not only difficulty but also the level of commitment or persistence required.

Etymology and grammar: The adjective derives from the verb kræve, to demand or require. Krævende is the present participle form and can modify nouns: en krævende opgave, et krævende projekt. It can also be used predicatively: Opgaven var krævende.

Usage and nuance: Krævende typically implies sustained effort, attention to detail, or significant resources. It is commonly used about work, studies, or standards but can also describe people who set high expectations for themselves or others. It is sometimes interchangeable with udfordrende (challenging), though krævende often suggests greater intensity or commitment.

Examples: Opgaven var krævende og krævede stor koncentration. Det var en krævende kunde, som krævede løbende opfølgning.

Relation to other terms: Synonyms include udfordrende, vanskelig; antonyms include let, enkel. In Danish usage, krævende remains neutral to negative depending on context; it signals a need for effort rather than an inherent value judgment.