lycklig

Lycklig is a Swedish adjective meaning happy or fortunate. It describes an emotional state or a situation perceived as favorable, and it is used for both people and events. Common examples include "Hon är lycklig" (She is happy) and "Det var en lycklig dag" (That was a happy/fortunate day). The word can also apply to more long-term or profound happiness and to fortunate outcomes or coincidences, such as "en lycklig slump" (a lucky coincidence).

Etymology and cognates: Lycklig comes from the noun lyck(a) meaning luck or happiness, with the adjectival suffix -lig. Related forms appear in Danish (lykkelig) and Norwegian (lykkelig). The noun is lycka, meaning luck or happiness. Across Germanic languages, cousins include English luck and Glück, and German glücklich and glück.

Grammar and usage: Inflection follows standard Swedish patterns for -lig adjectives. Positive: lycklig; comparative: lyckligare ("more happy" or "happier"); superlative: lyckligast ("happiest"). In adverb form, premaformen is lyckligt, used as "happily" or, in phrases like lyckligtvis, as "fortunately." Examples: "Paret såg lyckligt ut" (The couple looked happy) and "Lyckligtvis var allt ordnat" (Fortunately, everything was arranged). The adjective is commonly used attributively: "en lycklig familj" and predicatively: "familjen är lycklig."

Nuances and related terms: While glad can be used for momentary feelings of pleasure, lycklig often conveys deeper or longer-lasting happiness or a sense of well-being, sometimes with a favorable outcome rather than a fleeting mood. The related noun lycka is frequently used in idioms and expressions about luck and happiness.