Stræbsom

Stræbsom is a Danish adjective meaning industrious, diligent, and hardworking. It describes a person who consistently puts effort into tasks, is conscientious, and perseveres to achieve goals. The term often conveys a sense of steady, long-term effort rather than momentary energy, and it can be used in professional, academic, or everyday contexts.

Etymology and related forms: Stræbsom is built from the verb stræbe, meaning to strive or exert oneself, with the suffix -som that forms adjectives denoting a quality. The related noun form is stræbsomhed, meaning industriousness or diligence. A close cognate in Swedish is strävsam, underscoring the shared Scandinavian roots of the concept.

Usage notes: In Danish, stræbsom can describe both people and their work ethic. It often carries a positive, respectful tone, highlighting perseverance and reliability. In everyday speech, more common synonyms include flittig (diligent) or omhyggelig (careful), but stræbsom emphasizes ongoing effort and commitment. Antonyms include doven (lazy) and lat (slack).

Examples: "Hun er en stræbsom studerende, der altid møder til tiden." "Hans stræbsomhed førte projektet sikkert i mål." The term is versatile and can be applied across professions, education, and personal character assessments.

See also: stræbsomhed.