klänga

Klänga is a Swedish verb meaning to cling physically or emotionally to someone or something. It can describe a child holding onto a parent as well as a person who seeks constant contact or attention. In everyday language, the term often carries a negative nuance when describing interpersonal dynamics, though it can be neutral in literal contexts such as describing a physical action.

Common usages include klänga sig fast vid someone or klänga efter något. For example, a child may klänga sig fast vid sin mamma (cling to their mother), or a person may klänga efter uppmärksamhet (cling to attention). The expression can be extended to describe persistent emotional dependence or over-attentiveness in relationships.

Grammar and forms: klänga is a regular Swedish verb in common use. In present tense it appears as klänger; in the past tense as klängde; the supine form is klängt; the past participle is klängt; the present participle is klängande. The verb can be used with reflexive pronouns (klänga sig) and with prepositional phrases such as klänga sig fast vid or klänga efter.

Etymology and cognates: the verb belongs to the common Germanic family of verbs for attachment and clinginess. It has cognates in neighboring Scandinavian languages, such as Danish and Norwegian forms that express similar meanings, reflecting shared roots in the region’s vocabulary for physical and emotional attachment.

See also: clinginess, attachment theory, dependency in relationships. In psychology and everyday language, klänga and the related noun klängighet describe excessive need for closeness or reassurance in interpersonal interactions.