adjø

Adjö is a Swedish word meaning "goodbye" or "farewell." It is used as a formal or ceremonial farewell and appears in written language, speeches, and contexts that call for a solemn tone. In everyday Swedish, people more commonly say "hej då" or simply "hej," as adjö can sound archaic or highly formal. Nevertheless, adjö remains recognizable and is still employed to convey sentiment, nostalgia, or respect in appropriate situations.

Etymology and history: Adjö is a loanword that entered Swedish from the French adieu, which means "to God" and is used as a farewell. The borrowing likely occurred during the early modern period through contact with continental Europe and Germanic intermediary languages. The form reflects older orthography adapted to Swedish pronunciation, and its sense of a final or reverential departure has persisted.

Usage and nuances: The word is suitable for letters, speeches, ceremonies, or moments meant to be marked and dignified. It can imply a sense of finality or enduring well-wishing, depending on context. Because of its formality, it is less common in casual conversation, where alternative closings like "vi ses" or "vi ses senare" might be used, or the simpler "hej då" for a quick farewell.

See also: Adieu, farewell.