härd

Hård is an adjective used in several Germanic languages, particularly Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian, to denote a high degree of hardness, rigidity, or severity. In literal uses it describes physical solidity, such as a hård/hård yta (hard surface). In figurative contexts it can refer to strictness or demanding conditions, for example hård disciplin (strict discipline) or hård konkurrens (intense competition). The form and pronunciation vary by language, with the diacritic marks å or ø reflecting local phonology.

Etymology and cognates

The word descends from Proto-Germanic *hardaz, and is cognate with English hard, German hart, Dutch hard, and Old Norse harðr. In North Germanic languages the root produced the modern forms hård (Swedish), hård/dård (Danish), and hard/hård in some Norwegian varieties, all generally meaning “hard.” Related derivatives include hardness or hardness-related concepts in each language, such as hårdhet in some Scandinavian varieties.

Usage notes

As an attributive adjective, hård/hård commonly appears in compounds describing objects, conditions, or behavior, and can be used across literal and figurative domains. In Swedish and Danish you may encounter phrases such as hård yta, hård vinter, hård konkurrence (or hård konkurrens), reflecting the broad applicability of the term. In broader discussion, the concept of hardness also appears in technical terms for materials science and in expressions denoting strictness or severity in rules and attitudes.

See also

Germanic language cognates (hard, hart, hartz), related Scandinavian terms for hardness, and the noun forms indicating hardness (hårdhet, hardness).