svårigheten

Svårigheten is a Swedish noun meaning the quality or state of being difficult, or something that poses a challenge or obstacle. It can refer to physical, cognitive, technical, or moral difficulties.

Etymology and form: Svårighet is formed from the adjective svår, meaning "difficult," plus the suffix -ighet, which creates abstract nouns indicating a state or quality. The indefinite singular is en svårighet; the definite singular is svårigheten; the plural is svårigheter; the definite plural is svårigheterna.

Usage and nuance: The term is used in everyday language as well as in specialized discourse. It can describe objective challenges, such as a complex task, or subjective perceptions of difficulty. It is commonly contrasted with ease and with related terms such as problem, hinder, or utmaning (challenge).

See also: problem, hinder, utmaning, lätthet. The word svårighet is a general term applicable across domains, from practical matters to academic or analytical contexts.