Tilbagegangen

Tilbagegangen is a Danish noun meaning a regression, relapse, or downturn after a period of progress. It can refer to a decline in health after improvement, a relapse into previous behavior, or a broader decrease in economic, social, or organizational performance. The term is formed from tilbage meaning back and gangen, the definite form of gå (to go). The definite singular is tilbagegangen, and the plural is tilbagegange.

Usage and scope

Tilbagegangen is used in medicine and psychology to describe a relapse or setback in a patient’s condition or in behavior after a period of remission or improvement. In economics and sociology, it can denote a downturn in activity or indicators following a time of growth. The word is relatively formal and commonly appears in written Danish, including reports, analyses, and medical texts.

Contextual nuance

The word carries a neutral, descriptive connotation and does not specify the cause of the decline. It can be qualified with adjectives such as significant or mild to indicate the extent of the setback. In historical or analytical writing, tilbakegangen may be used to discuss cycles of growth and downturn in various sectors or populations.

See also

Relapse, regression, downturn, decline, setback.