muskulös

Muskulös is a Swedish adjective used to describe someone or something with well-developed muscles or a strong muscular build. It is commonly applied to people, but can also describe animals or even physical objects and figures that appear robust or muscular.

The word derives from the Latin musculus, meaning “little mouse,” the historical root of the term for muscle. In Swedish, muskulös was formed through analogy with other adjectives that denote a quality, using the common -ös ending. In scientific and international contexts, muskulös corresponds to the English term muscular.

In usage, muskulös is generally descriptive and neutral, though it can carry evaluative nuance in discussions of fitness, bodybuilding, or aesthetics. For example, a person with pronounced musculature might be described as muskulös, and a trainer may refer to a muskulös kropp (muscular body). The comparative and superlative forms are typically expressed with mer muskulös and mest muskulös, rather than fixed suffixes.

Common synonyms include vältränad (well-conditioned) and kraftig (strong or sturdy), though muskulös specifically highlights muscular development. The term is prevalent in fitness journalism, coaching, and everyday conversation about physique. While muscular ideals are a feature of popular culture, muskulös remains a descriptive term rather than a value judgment.