separerad

Separerad is a Swedish adjective and past participle derived from the verb separera. It describes something that has been divided or set apart, either physically or figuratively. The term is used for objects or areas that have been separated, as well as for people whose relationship or living situation has been separated.

In everyday language, separerad can refer to a person who lives apart from a partner while the marriage remains legally intact. In Swedish legal and administrative contexts, a more common term for a formally dissolved marriage is skild (divorced), whereas separerad often appears in informal or transitional descriptions of the situation. The word can also be used to describe other kinds of separation, such as separated property or separated sections within a system, though more precise terms may be used in specific legal or technical contexts.

Etymology and grammar: separerad is formed from the verb separera, which comes from French séparé, ultimately tracing to Latin separare. The adjective follows standard Swedish inflection: separerad for common gender singular, separerade in the plural, and separerat for neuter singular in certain constructions. In practice, phrases like en separerad person or de separerade paren are understood, though usage varies with register.

Usage notes: Separerad is broader in scope than skild, which more narrowly denotes divorce. While both can describe living apart, separerad emphasizes the separation state rather than the formal dissolution of marriage. In many contexts, speakers may prefer åtskild or skild depending on accuracy and formality.

See also: separation, skilsmässa, åtskild.