hälsade

Hälsade is the past tense form of the Swedish verb hälsa, which means to greet or to send regards, and can also mean to wish someone well. In everyday use, hälsade describes the act of greeting someone or extending well-wishes that occurred in the past. The verb can be used both when greeting in person and when offering regards indirectly.

Etymologically, hälsa originates from older Germanic roots related to well-being and greeting. In Swedish, the noun hälsa means health, and the related noun hälsning means a greeting or salutation. The past tense form hälsade shares its meaning with the act of greeting or with a visit that involved greeting someone.

Usage notes include two common senses. First, as a simple past tense of greet: "Hon hälsade mig när hon kom in" (She greeted me when she came in). Second, in the phrase hälsa på someone, meaning to pay a short visit or to stop by: "Han hälsade på grannarna i morse." In this construction, the addition of på emphasizes the visiting aspect rather than the greeting alone. The form hälsade is conjugated regularly for all persons: jag hälsade, du hälsade, han/hon hälsade, vi hälsade, ni hälsade, de hälsade.

Related terms include hälsa (to greet or to wish health) and hälsning (a greeting or salutation). The word appears in formal and informal Swedish, and reflects social norms of politeness and wellness in communication.