Långvarigt

Långvarigt is a Swedish adjective meaning long-lasting or prolonged. It is used to describe conditions, events, or processes that continue over an extended period. The term appears across domains such as health, weather, economics, and law, where duration is a defining characteristic.

In Swedish grammar, långvarig inflects to match the noun it describes. When the noun is neuter singular (ett-noun), the form is långvarigt, as in ett långvarigt problem. For en-ord nouns in singular, the form is långvarig, for example en långvarig sjukdom. In plural, the form is långvariga, as in långvariga problem eller långvariga effekter.

Common usages include describing medical conditions (långvarig sjukdom, långvarig smärta), weather patterns (långvarigt regn), and economic or social effects (långvariga konsekvenser, långvariga nedgångar). The term emphasizes duration and persistence rather than immediacy or temporary states.

Related terms and nuances: långvarig is closely related to varaktig, both signaling durability, while kortvarig and tillfällig express shorter or temporary durations. The noun form varaktighet denotes the length of time something lasts, and is often used in more formal or technical contexts.

Overall, långvarigt/långvarig illustrates a key concept in Swedish: describing outcomes and experiences by how long they endure, rather than by their intensity alone. It is a versatile descriptor in health, environment, economics, and everyday speech.