oåterkomligt

Oåterkomligt is a Swedish adjective meaning not recurring or nonrecurring. It describes events, states, or conditions that are one-off and are not expected to repeat, either because they have already occurred or because they are irreversible in practical terms. The word can also convey a sense of finality, where a return to the previous situation is not feasible.

Etymology and usage: The term is formed with the negating prefix o- attached to återkomlig, from återkomma meaning to recur or return. The form oåterkomligt is typically used with neuter singular nouns (for example ett oåterkomligt fel) and can be extended to related phrases in formal or disciplinary contexts. In scientific, historical, legal, and journalistic writing, oåterkomligt is frequently used to characterize phenomena or outcomes that do not reappear or cannot be undone.

Examples and nuance: Common contexts include describing a one-off event, a decision with irreversible consequences, or a mistake that cannot be repeated under the same conditions. While similar in sense to “one-off” or “irreversible” in English, oåterkomligt emphasizes non-recurrence rather than moral or legal finality alone. It is distinct from terms like återskapa (to recreate) or återkomma (to recur).

See also: återkommande (recurring), oåterkallelig (irrevocable), irreversible (in a broader cross-language sense), one-off (loanword usage in dependent contexts).