Lagen

Lagen is the definite singular form of the Swedish noun lag, meaning law. In Swedish, lagen is used to refer to the law as a system of rules or to a specific statute, depending on context. It appears in everyday language, legal texts, court decisions, and government documents as a standard term for the body of rules that governs behavior and rights.

Etymology and form: lag originates from Old Norse lög, and is part of the broader Germanic word family for law. The definite suffix -en turns lag into lagen, signaling a specific, known, or previously discussed law. The plural form lagarna means “the laws.”

Usage in context: In general discourse, lagen can denote the concept of law in Sweden. In reference to a particular statute, it is common to see phrases such as enligt lagen (in accordance with the law) or lagens bestämmelser (the provisions of the law). The form is also used in the official names of acts, for example Lagen om offentlig upphandling (the Public Procurement Act), where lagen functions as part of a formal legal title.

Relation to related terms: lag, the indefinite form, refers to a law in general or to a single law when unspecified. Lagen is contrasted with andra rättsliga begrepp like rättvisa or rättsstat, which pertain to broader concepts of law and justice.

In summary, lagen is the Swedish term for “the law,” employed to discuss law as a system, a specific statute, or to cite legal provisions, and it is a central element in Swedish legal language.