svigermor

Svigermor is the term used in Danish and Norwegian to refer to the mother of one's spouse, i.e., one's mother-in-law. The analogous term in Swedish is svärmor, illustrating the shared Nordic kinship vocabulary.

Usage and address forms vary by family. A svigermor may be addressed by name, by a familial title, or by a more formal term, depending on personal preference and cultural norms within the household.

In Nordic societies, the svigermor can play an important role in extended family life, but the quality of the relationship depends on individual families. Some relationships are close and supportive; others experience distance, conflict, or differing expectations about involvement in family events or decisions.

Legal status: being a svigermor denotes kinship rather than a legal role; no special rights or duties arise from the term itself beyond normal family law and obligations that apply to in-laws in the relevant jurisdiction. Related terms include svärmor in Swedish and the general concept of mother-in-law.