beröra

Beröra is a Swedish verb with several related senses. In its most literal meaning, it denotes physical contact: for example, “Han berörde henne på armen.” It can also be used figuratively to describe something that moves or affects someone emotionally, as in “Nyheten berörde många i publiken.” Additionally, beröra can mean to touch upon or mention a subject in discussion: “Artikeln berör flera centrala frågor.”

Etymology and usage context: Beröra is formed from the verb röra (to move) with the prefix be-, a common pattern in Swedish and other Germanic languages. It is cognate with Norwegian berøre, Danish berøre, and German berühren. The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object: beröra något. It is frequently used in formal or literary style when discussing topics that are emotionally engaging or when introducing a matter in conversation or writing.

Conjugation and related forms: It is a regular verb in modern Swedish. Present tense: berör; past tense: berörde; supine: berört; perfect: har berört. The past participle berört also appears as an adjective, meaning “emotionally affected” (berörd). The noun beröring means “touch” in the physical sense, and can also refer to a broader sense of contact or influence, as in the impact of an event.

Examples of usage: “Historien berörde mig djupt.” “Miljörapporten berörde flera viktiga frågor.” “Vi bör beröra ämnet försiktigt.” In everyday language, beröra contrasts with röra in its more formal or figurative connotations.