ordentligt

Ordentligt is a Swedish adverb meaning properly, in a proper manner, or thoroughly. It can indicate that an action is performed to meet accepted standards, or that something is done completely rather than superficially. The corresponding adjective ordentlig means proper or decent, and ordentligt is formed from ordentlig with the adverbial suffix -t, a common pattern in Swedish for creating adverbs.

In use, ordentligt describes how something is done or how a state is maintained. Examples include: “Hon städade ordentligt innan gästerna kom” (She cleaned up properly before the guests arrived), “Det måste göras ordentligt” (That must be done properly), and “Det här jobbet måste göras ordentligt” (This job has to be done thoroughly). It can also convey emphasis on quality or thoroughness in everyday speech, without sounding overly formal.

Etymologically, ordentligt derives from the adjective ordentlig, meaning proper or thorough, with the standard Swedish adverbial suffix -t. The term is neutral in register and widely used in both spoken and written Swedish. It is not archaic, though in some contexts it can carry a pragmatic, no-nonsense tone.

Related forms include ordentlig (adjective) and ordentlighet (noun, meaning propriety or thoroughness). In other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish and Norwegian, ordentligt has a similar meaning and usage.

See also: ordentlig, ordentlighet.