langsomt

Langsomt is a Swedish adverb meaning “slowly” or “at a slow pace.” It is derived from the adjective långsam, which describes something that moves or progresses with little speed, and the adverbial suffix –t that forms adverbs from adjectives in Swedish. The term is used in everyday speech and written language to modify verbs, indicating that an action is performed with reduced speed, deliberateness, or gradual progression.

In linguistic contexts, langsomt exemplifies the typical Swedish adverb formation process, where the base adjective is suffixed with –t (e.g., snabb → snabbt, snabbt “quickly”). The word aligns with similar adverbs in other Germanic languages, such as the Danish and Norwegian langsomt, reflecting a shared etymology from Old Norse *langr* (“long”) and *saml* (“slow”).

Common usage appears in instructions (e.g., “Gå långsamt” – “Walk slowly”), literary descriptions to evoke a sense of measured tempo, and technical fields where pacing is relevant, such as music, where a performer might be instructed to play a passage langsamt to achieve a particular expressive effect. The adverb also features in idiomatic expressions emphasizing caution or thoroughness, for instance, “ta det langsamt” (“take it slowly”).

Langsomt is listed in Swedish dictionaries such as SAOL (Svenska Akademiens ordlista) and is recognized in language learning resources as a basic adverb for describing speed.