bågar

Bågar is a Swedish plural noun with several related meanings, all tied to the idea of a curved or arched shape. The most common use refers to a bow used for shooting arrows. A bow consists of a flexible stave and a string, and can be made from wood, horn, or modern composites. Bows come in different forms, such as longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows, and are used in sport, target shooting, or hunting. Components typically include the grip, limbs, and string, with performance depending on material, design, and draw weight.

A second meaning of båge is an architectural or structural arch. In construction, a båge is a curved element that spans an opening and transfers loads to supports. Arches appear in doorways, bridges, aqueducts, and vaults, and they come in various shapes, including semicircular (true arch) and pointed or ogival forms. The construction relies on carefully cut stones or blocks (voussoirs) and often a keystone to lock the structure in place. Bågar enable efficient load distribution and can create open interiors while supporting substantial weight.

In everyday language, båge can describe any curved or arched form, or be used metaphorically for something that has a curved silhouette. The plural form bågar is used when referring to more than one such element, whether in weaponry, architecture, or general description.