besværlig

The Danish adjective "besværlig" translates to "difficult" or "troublesome" in English. It describes something that is challenging, cumbersome, or requires significant effort to accomplish. The term can apply to tasks, situations, or even people, depending on context.

In everyday usage, "besværlig" often refers to physical or logistical challenges, such as a "besværlig rejse" (a difficult journey) or "besværlig adgang" (difficult access). It may also describe abstract difficulties, like "besværlig beslutningstagning" (difficult decision-making). The word carries a neutral tone, simply indicating the presence of obstacles rather than implying blame or judgment.

The opposite of "besværlig" is "let" (easy), though "besværlig" can also contrast with "enkelt" (simple) or "håndgribelig" (manageable). The term is commonly used in both spoken and written Danish, including formal and informal settings.

Grammatically, "besværlig" functions as an adjective and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, "en besværlig opgave" (a difficult task) becomes "besværlige opgaver" (difficult tasks) in the plural. It can also be used in comparative and superlative forms, such as "mere besværlig" (more difficult) or "den mest besværlige" (the most difficult).

The word is rooted in the Danish verb "besvære," meaning "to burden" or "to trouble," reflecting its core meaning of causing inconvenience or difficulty. While "besværlig" is a straightforward term, its usage can vary slightly depending on regional dialects and context, though it remains widely understood across Denmark.