Slutligt

Slutligt is a Swedish word that can function as both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective, it means final, definitive, or conclusive and is used before nouns to describe their final character. For example, ett slutligt beslut means a final or definitive decision. In definite form, det slutliga beslutet can be used to refer to a specific final decision. As an adverb, slutligt can modify a verb or clause to indicate that something is brought to a final or conclusive state, especially in more formal or technical contexts, for instance, beslutet togs slutligt.

Etymology and form are straightforward within Swedish morphology. The word is built from the noun slut, meaning end, with the suffix -lig to form the adjective slutlig (final). When used before a neuter singular noun in indefinite form, the attributive form appears as slutligt (ett slutligt beslut). The adverbial use aligns with the adjective form in meaning, denoting finality or conclusiveness.

Usage notes and nuance are important for understanding when slutligt is preferred over related terms. It is common in legal, administrative, or formal writing to describe outcomes, agreements, or statuses as slutliga, highlighting that they are not open to change. For stronger emphasis on finality, Swedish also employs slutgiltig or slutgiltigt, with slightly stronger connotations of absolute finality, while slutligt remains a standard option in many contexts. The adverbial sense of slutligt often coexists with the more typical adverb slutligen, which more plainly means “finally” in narrative or chronological sense.

See also: slutlig, slutgiltig, slutligen.