Livsfarlighet

Livsfarlighet is a Swedish term referring to the level or state of being life-threatening. It is used to describe circumstances, conditions, or actions that may lead to death if not addressed promptly. The concept is encountered in medical, safety, and legal discussions where assessing the risk of death is central.

Etymology and nuance: The word is formed from liv ('life'), farlig ('dangerous') and the abstract noun suffix -het, yielding "life-threat" or "life-threateningness." It is distinct from general danger in that it emphasizes the potential for death rather than non-fatal harm.

Common contexts: In healthcare, clinicians speak of life-threatening conditions and need for urgent intervention, such as livsfarlig blödning or livsfarlig infektion. In safety and risk assessment, authorities may classify situations or environments as life-threatening and prioritize preventive measures or emergency responses. In legal and policy texts, livsfarlighet can appear when describing the seriousness of acts or neglect that creates a life-threatening risk.

Usage notes: The term is formal and primarily found in professional or formal writing. In everyday language, people may say livsfarligt or så farligt att det kan döda, though livsfarlighet is the nominal form used when discussing risk levels or policy.

See also: livsfara, farlig, livsfarlig.