långlivade

Långlivade is a Swedish adjective meaning long-lived or having a long lifespan. It is used to describe living beings, populations, or sometimes durable things with extended lifespans or durability. The form is commonly used in plural contexts, for example långlivade djur or långlivade arter.

Etymology and usage: the word is built from lång (long) and liv (life) with a suffix that yields an adjective meaning characterized by long life. It is related to other Swedish terms such as kortlivad (short-lived) and has parallels in discussions of longevity in biology, ecology, and everyday language.

In biology, långlivade organisms are studied for aging and lifespan. Examples often cited include the bowhead whale, which can live for over a century; the Greenland shark, with estimates suggesting lifespans of several centuries; and long-lived trees such as the bristlecone pine. Longevity results from a combination of genetic factors, metabolism, and ecological conditions, while disease, predation, and environmental stress can shorten lifespans.

In humans, longevity refers to life expectancy and maximum age. Populations vary by genetics, lifestyle, disease burden, and access to healthcare. Centenarians are individuals who reach 100 years or more, while supercentenarians exceed 110. Research on aging investigates cellular repair, telomere dynamics, and interventions such as nutrition, lifestyle, and medical advances to extend healthy life.

Culturally and practically, långlivade can also describe durable products, institutions, or brands that endure over time, signaling resilience as well as durability rather than biological lifespan.

See also longevity, aging, lifespan, durability.