närhetens

närhetens is the possessive or genitive form of the Swedish noun närhet, which means proximity or nearness. The base word närhet is formed with the suffix -het, a common Swedish way to create abstract nouns that denote a state or quality. The definite form is närheten, and the genitive/possessive form is närhetens. In running text, närhetens is used to indicate that something belongs to, relates to, or is characterized by proximity.

In usage, närhetens functions as a determiner within noun phrases. It can precede another noun to express the relation of closeness, for example, närhetens betydelse (the importance of proximity) or närhetens roll i sociala relationer (the role of nearness in social relations). The phrase can address different senses of closeness—from physical distance to social or emotional closeness—depending on context.

Semantic range and context are key for understanding närhetens. It appears across fields such as linguistics, sociology, architecture, and ethics of care, where discussions may focus on how closeness influences behavior, design, or interaction. As a linguistic form, närhetens does not denote a separate concept by itself but rather serves to articulate aspects of proximity within broader discourse.

See also: närhet, proximity, nearness.