Slétt

Slått is a Norwegian word with more than one common use. As a verb form, it is the past participle of slå, meaning struck, hit, or beaten. It appears in everyday Norwegian in phrases describing actions that have already occurred or in passive constructions, for example in phrases like “slått ned” or “slått av.”

In the context of Nordic folk music, slått also denotes a traditional instrumental tune. In Norwegian and Swedish usage, the singular slått can refer to a short melody that is part of a regional dance repertoire, with the plural forms often written as slåttar or slåtter in the respective languages. Slåtter are typically associated with fiddle traditions, such as the Norwegian hardanger fiddle, and with other traditional instruments used in rural ensembles. The tunes are transmitted through oral tradition and written collections, and they vary by region in style, rhythm, and modality.

The term reflects a long-standing cultural practice in which melodies are linked to dance forms and communal music-making. In modern times, slått remains an element of Norwegian and broader Nordic folk music revival, studied by ethnomusicologists and performed by contemporary folk ensembles. The dual usage of slått—as a past-participle verb form and as a noun for a traditional tune—illustrates how a single word can carry distinct linguistic and musical meanings within Norwegian culture. See also topics on Norwegian folk music, slåtter, and regional fiddle traditions for related information.