Kylig

Kylig is a Swedish adjective used to describe something that is cold in temperature or, by extension, emotionally distant or unfriendly. It can refer to weather, objects, or a person’s demeanor, such as a kylig vind or a kylig reaktion.

Etymology and form: kylig derives from the verb kyla, meaning to cool, with the adjectival suffix -ig. It forms a set of inflected endings to agree with gender and number. For common gender singular nouns you use kylig (en vind), for neuter nouns kyligt (ett väder), and for plural or other forms kyliga. The comparative and superlative degrees are kyligare and kyligast.

Usage and nuances: kylig is versatile in everyday Swedish. It often conveys a mild to moderate coldness, but can also imply social froideur or detachment when describing a person or a response. Examples include kylig vind (a chilly wind), kyligt väder (cold weather), or en kylig blick (a cold look). In figurative contexts, a kylig attityd or kylig ton suggests emotional distance rather than literal temperature.

Relations to other terms: antonyms include varm (warm) or het, while synonyms for a more severe cold are frusen or kall. The word is commonly used in both formal and informal registers. In Nordic languages, kylig shares a common root with related terms meaning to cool, reflecting a broader Germanic linguistic heritage.