Långtid

Långtid is a Swedish term that denotes a long period of time. It is formed from the words lång (long) and tid (time) and is used to indicate durations that extend beyond what is considered short term. There is no fixed length associated with långtid; the exact duration depends on the context.

In everyday language, långtid can refer to an extended stretch of time that is substantial but not precisely defined. In more formal or technical usage, the concept appears in compounds and phrases such as långtidseffekter (long-term effects) and långtidssjukskrivning (long-term sickness absence). The word is often contrasted with korttid (short term) and with långsikt, which describes a long-term horizon or strategic perspective rather than a specific duration.

Across different fields, långtid is used to discuss outcomes, planning, or processes that unfold over extended periods. In medicine, researchers examine långtidseffekter of treatments. In economics and policy, analysts consider långsiktiga implications and projections over years or decades. In environmental science, långtid changes refer to effects that accumulate over long timescales or generations.

Långtid can function as a noun referring to the time span itself or as a root in compounds that express long-term characteristics or consequences. It is a flexible term that complements clearer measurements of duration, such as days, months, or years, by signaling the broader temporal scope involved.