Personligen

Personligen is a Swedish adverb meaning personally or in person. It is used to indicate that something reflects the speaker’s own view or that the speaker was directly involved in an action.

Etymology and form: personligen is formed from the adjective personlig (personal) with the adverbial suffix -ligen. The base adjective personlig is itself built from the noun or root person, with the common Scandinavian and Germanic pattern of turning adjectives into adverbs with -ligen. The word ultimately traces its semantic lineage to the concept of a person, with cognates across related languages.

Usage: Personligen is common in opinion statements, often following introductory phrases like “Personligen tror jag…” or “Personligen anser jag…,” meaning “I personally think…” It can also express physical presence, as in “Han var där personligen,” meaning “He was there in person.” The term emphasizes the speaker’s direct involvement or stance and is less formal than some alternatives, making it a frequent choice in everyday discourse.

Notes: While personligen conveys personal stance or presence, it should not be confused with the broader sense of private or intimate contexts, which may use other expressions. The word is primarily used to foreground the speaker’s perspective or participation in a situation.

See also: personlig, personlighet, person, adverbial formations in Swedish.