naturlig

Naturlig is an adjective used in Swedish and Norwegian (and Danish) to describe things that belong to nature, are not made by humans, or occur in accordance with natural processes. The term can refer to physical environments, phenomena, or inherent characteristics. In everyday language it often contrasts with artificial or man-made.

The word derives from the Latin natura and entered the Germanic languages through historical linguistic development. In both Swedish and Norwegian, naturlig is used to express something that is ordinary or expected within the natural world, as well as to describe innate or typical behavior. The corresponding adverbial form is natuligt (Swedish) or naturlig/naturlig (Norwegian), used to modify verbs or adjectives.

Usage in science and philosophy often relies on contrasts between natural and artificial. In biology, the concept appears in phrases equivalent to natural selection (naturligt urval in Swedish; naturlig utvalg in Norwegian). In broader philosophical or ethical discussions, natural can be tied to ideas of what exists by nature or what is given rather than constructed by humans, though precise meanings can vary by context and tradition.

In public and commercial discourse, naturlig is a common descriptor on products and services. Its use as a marketing term varies by jurisdiction and regulation, and it does not automatically imply safety, purity, or organic status. Consumers should consider local definitions and claims, rather than assuming a universal standard for what is “naturlig.”

See also: natural, nature, artificial.