Uppslukad

Uppslukad is a Swedish adjective meaning deeply engrossed or absorbed, often used to describe someone who is so focused on something that they seem oblivious to their surroundings. It can refer to a person’s mental state or to the effect something has on a person, for example being "uppslukad av en bok" or "uppslukad av arbetet." The term is commonly used in both spoken and written Swedish.

Etymology and usage notes: uppslukad is formed from the prefix upp- combined with the verb sluka, meaning to gulp down or swallow up. The compound verb uppsluka signifies to engulf or capture someone’s attention, and uppslukad is the past participle used as an adjective. It is often followed by av to specify what is captivating, as in uppslukad av en bok eller uppslukad av ett ämne.

Typical contexts: uppslukad conveys a strong, often immersive focus. It is distinct from milder terms like fängslad (captivated) or intresserad (interested); uppslukad implies a deeper immersion. It is common in literary descriptions, journalism, and everyday speech when emphasizing how completely someone is absorbed by something.

Related forms: the noun uppslukning denotes the state or act of being engrossed, while uppslukande is an adjective meaning engrossing or captivating when describing things that attract attention. Example sentences: Hon var uppslukad av boken. Filmen höll publiken uppslukad. Det var en uppslukande berättelse.

Overall, uppslukad serves as a precise descriptor for intense cognitive or emotional immersion, with frequent usage in both casual and formal Swedish.