skötsam

Skötsam is a Swedish adjective describing a person who is reliable, diligent, and well-behaved. The term emphasizes responsible and orderly conduct, such as meeting obligations, keeping promises, and behaving in a considerate way toward others. It is commonly used about children, students, employees, and adults in everyday language, as well as in descriptions of social behavior and household management. The connotation is positive, signaling steadiness and trustworthiness without implying exceptional talent.

Etymology and usage notes: Skötsam is formed from the verb sköta, meaning “to take care of” or “to manage,” combined with the suffix -sam to denote a characteristic. The related noun skötsamhet denotes the quality of being skötsam. The word is gender-neutral and is used to describe people across ages and situations. It can apply to personal conduct, workplace reliability, or neighborhood behavior.

Examples: "Hon är en skötsam elev som alltid kommer i tid och gör sina läxor." "De är skötsamma grannar som håller ordning i området." In modern usage, the term is typically positive and value-neutral, focusing on dependability and compliance with social expectations rather than on intelligence or flair.

Synonyms and related terms include ordentlig, redlig, ansvarsfull, och pålitlig. Antonyms include slarvig and lat. The nuance of skötsam is best captured by its emphasis on consistent care, responsibility, and polite, rule-abiding behavior.