sträv

Sträv is a Swedish adjective primarily used to describe something rough, coarse, or abrasive in texture. It is commonly applied to tangible qualities such as surfaces, materials, and textures—for example, a rough surface (en sträv yta), rough fabric, or rough fur. The word can also be extended to describe weather, sound, or other sensory impressions that feel harsh or severe, such as a harsh wind or a strident tone.

In addition to its literal meaning, sträv can carry a figurative sense. When describing people or behavior, it may convey a blunt, uncompromising, or hard-edged character. This figurative use depends on context and tone, and it can read as either neutral emphasis or a negative appraisal.

Sträv is often found in everyday speech, literary descriptions, and writing that aims to evoke tactile or atmospheric qualities. It is distinct from, but related to, other descriptors of texture such as grov (coarse) or ojämn (uneven), with sträv typically signaling a stronger, more tactile aggressiveness.

Cognates exist in other Scandinavian languages, where similar forms convey related meanings about roughness or harshness. While sträv is a common descriptive term in Swedish, its strongest associations are with physical texture and the sense of something that is not smooth or gentle.

See also: grov, ojämn, sträva (to strive) as a related but different word, if encountered in compound phrases.