närmast

Närmast is a Swedish word that translates to "nearest" or "closest" in English. It is primarily used as an adjective or adverb to indicate proximity in space or time. As an adjective, it describes something that is physically close to a reference point. For example, "den närmaste affären" means "the nearest store." It can also refer to the most immediate or current instance of something, such as "närmast framtid," meaning "near future."

As an adverb, närmast modifies a verb or adjective to indicate closeness. "Han kom närmast mig" translates to "He came nearest to me." The word is derived from the Old Norse word "nærstr," which also means "nearest." It is a comparative form of the adjective "nära," meaning "near." The superlative form is "närmast," indicating the absolute closest or most proximate.

In a figurative sense, närmast can also imply a strong resemblance or a strong inclination. For instance, a decision might be described as "närmast ett skämt," meaning "almost a joke" or "bordering on a joke." The word's versatility allows it to be used in a variety of contexts, from simple directions to more abstract descriptions of relationships and likelihoods. Understanding the nuances of närmast is key to comprehending Swedish expressions related to proximity and closeness.