jämn

Jämn is a Swedish adjective meaning even, level, flat, or uniform, and is used to describe physical surfaces, distributions, numbers, and performances. The related adverb form is jämnt, used to express how something is done in an even or balanced way. In mathematical or counting contexts, jämn commonly appears in the phrase ett jämnt tal, meaning an even number.

Grammatical forms in Swedish include jämn for en-words in singular common gender, jämnt for ett-words in singular neuter, and jämna for plural nouns. Examples: en jämn yta (a level surface), ett jämnt tal (an even number), flera jämna ytor (several even surfaces). The comparative form is jämnare and the superlative is jämnast. The adverbial form is jämnt, as in fördelningen var jämnt fördelad (the distribution was evenly distributed) or lagen spelade jämnt (the teams played evenly).

Etymology and related usage illustrate a core sense of equality or balance. Jämn originates in the Germanic language family and is connected to concepts of equality, balance, and uniformity across the Scandinavian languages. Beyond physical flatness, jämn also conveys fairness or parity in competitions, outcomes, or proportions.

In modern Swedish, jämn appears in a wide range of phrases, from describing a smooth, flat surface to noting that something is distributed or performed without significant difference. Related terms include jämställd (equal, gender-equal) and expressions built on the same root, such as jämföra (to compare) and jämförelse (comparison).