tilfällen

Tillfällen is a Swedish noun in plural form, used to denote an occasion, an opportunity, or an instance when something can or does happen. The term can refer to a specific moment in time or to a broader chance to act. In everyday language, it appears in phrases like vid flera tillfällen (on several occasions), vid ett tillfälle (at one point), and i olika tillfällen (in various instances). Tillfällen is often used in formal or written Swedish, but it also occurs in conversational contexts when discussing occurrences or opportunities.

Etymology and grammar: tillfälle is a neuter noun; plural is tillfällen, singular is tillfälle. The word is built from till- (toward, to) and fälle/o-like element related to fall or occurrence, with roots in the older Scandinavian language family. Common prepositions used with tillfällen include vid and under, giving expressions such as vid flera tillfällen or vid ett tillfälle. The term can refer to both concrete events and more abstract opportunities, depending on context.

Usage and nuance: tillfällen emphasizes the moment or occasion as a discrete event or chance, rather than merely a duration or moment. It is closely related to synonyms such as händelse (event), tilldragelse (occurrence), or chans/möjlighet (chance/opportunity), each carrying slight nuance. In formal writing, tillfällen often appears in reports or statements about multiple occurrences or opportunities, while in everyday speech it may be replaced by enklare ord or synonyms depending on the context.

See also: tillfälle (singular), händelse, tilldragelse, ögonblick, möjlighet, chans.