Uppsluka

Uppsluka is a Swedish verb meaning to swallow up, engulf, or absorb. It can describe physical engulfment, such as a flood that swallows buildings, and it can also denote being deeply absorbed in something, like a book or a task. In metaphorical use, uppsluka conveys total engagement of attention, time, or resources.

Etymology and forms: The word is formed from the prefix upp- meaning up or into, combined with sluka, meaning “to gulp.” It is standard Swedish and used across styles. Present tense: uppslukar; past tense: uppslukade; past participle/adjective: uppslukad. The phrase bli uppslukad av något means “to become absorbed by something.”

Usage and examples: Examples include "Floden uppslukade flera byggnader" (The flood swallowed/engulfed several buildings), "Romanen uppslukade honom helt" (The novel completely engrossed him), and "Hon blev uppslukad av arbetet" (She was absorbed by the work). The derivative adjective "uppslukande" describes something engrossing, as in "en uppslukande berättelse" (an engrossing story). The term is broadly understood in Swedish; cognate forms with related senses exist in other Scandinavian languages.

See also: Related concepts include synonymerna till engulph or absorb in figurative use, and phrases describing intense focus or immersion.