Ungefär

Ungefär is a Swedish adverb meaning approximately, roughly, or about. It is used to indicate an estimation of quantity, time, distance, or degree. It is common in both spoken and written language and is often interchangeable with cirka and omkring in everyday use, though there can be subtle nuance differences depending on context.

Ungefär typically precedes the expression it modifies, for example ungefär femtio personer, ungefär två timmar, or ungefär 1,5 kilometer. It can also appear after the verb, as in Det tog ungefär tre timmar. Additionally, ungefär can modify adjectives, as in ungefär lika stor. In more formal writing, cirka or omkring may be preferred in some contexts, but ungefär remains widely used in ordinary Swedish.

Etymology and usage notes: the exact origin of the word is not fully clear, but ungefär has a long-standing presence in Swedish. It functions as an adverb of approximation rather than a measure word, and it helps convey estimation without committing to exact figures. In translations, ungefär corresponds to about, around, or roughly, depending on the sentence and tone. The term is versatile across various registers, from casual conversation to general reporting.