lavt

Lavt is a word used in Norwegian and Danish meaning "low" or "down." It functions as the adverbial or predicative form of the adjective lav, and is employed to express low degree, level, height, or intensity. In practice, lavt describes something that is not high or that occurs at a lower position or volume, and it can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire phrases.

In grammar, lavt is the standard inflection used for adverbs and for predicative use when referring to a neuter noun or a situation described by an adjective. The word is often found in contexts describing measurements, such as height or depth, and in quantitative terms like price or volume, where a low value is intended. It is common across everyday speech and formal writing where a precise indication of low level or soft intensity is needed.

Etymologically, lavt shares its roots with the adjective lav in both Norwegian and Danish and has cognates across North Germanic languages. The core meaning—low, beneath, or not high—appears throughout related languages, with lavt serving the adverbial or predicative function in modern usage.

In English, lavt is commonly translated as "low" or "lowly," depending on context and part of speech. The adjective forms in Norwegian and Danish may appear as lave or lave in some contexts, while lavt specifically covers the adverbial or predicative usage. Lavt is part of everyday descriptive language and is not a standalone concept beyond its role as a grammatical form.