snäva

Snäva is a Swedish adjective meaning narrow or tight, used to describe physical dimensions as well as figurative constraints. In everyday Swedish, the positive form is snäv, while snäva is the definite form used before a definite noun, as in den snäva vägen (the narrow road). The word can describe spaces such as gator, korridorer, dörröppningar, or abstract limits such as snäva ekonomiska förhållanden (tight financial conditions).

Grammar and usage notes: snäva is primarily seen in definite constructions. For indefinite references, the base form snäv is typically used (en snäv dörr, en snäv passage). The comparative form is snävare and the superlative snävast. The adverbial form is snävt, used to modify verbs or describe actions done in a narrow manner.

Etymology and related terms: Snäva originates in the North Germanic language family and is cognate with related Swedish forms describing width or restriction. It is commonly paired with nouns that denote physical space or figurative restrictions. Common synonyms include smal and knapp in some contexts, while antonyms include bred (wide) and vid (broad/open).

Examples of use: Den snäva gatan var svår att passera. Huset har en snäv innergård som kräver försiktighet. Politiska beslut passerades under snäva ekonomiska förhållanden, vilket begränsade möjligheterna.

See also: Swedish adjectives, grammar of definiteness, comparison of adjectives in Swedish.

Note: This article treats snäva as a standard Swedish term primarily in its descriptive linguistic sense. If you are seeking information on a proper noun or a specific place named Snäva, please provide additional context.