Ryddig

Ryddig is an adjective used primarily in Norwegian and Swedish to describe something that is tidy, neat, and well organized, or that is clear and easy to understand. In everyday use, it can refer to physical spaces such as a ryddig stue (a tidy living room), as well as to plans, presentations, or texts that are structured and easy to follow. The sense also extends to behavior, describing someone who approaches tasks in an orderly, methodical way. The term emphasizes order and clarity rather than cleanliness alone.

The word derives from the verb rydde, to tidy up or clear away, with the suffix -ig forming an adjective. In Norwegian, ryddig is the standard descriptive form and has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, reflecting a shared linguistic heritage.

Usage notes: In contexts of design, writing, or planning, ryddig conveys readability and coherence—such as a ryddig layout, a ryddig argument, or a clearly organized process. In housing or work environments, it signals practical order and functional organization. When contrasting terms are needed, opposites include words meaning messy or chaotic.

See also: tidy, organization, clarity.