tillfällen

Tillfällen is a Swedish noun in plural form (singular: tillfälle) that denotes an occasion, event, or moment when something occurs or when there is an opportunity to act. The term can refer to a single incident or to several such moments, and it is used in both everyday language and formal writing.

Etymology and sense

Tillfälle is a compound of till, meaning toward or for, and falla/fälle, related to occurrence or incident. The combination expresses the idea of a suitable or opportune moment for something to happen. Over time, the word acquired a broad sense of both a concrete event and a favorable moment for action.

Usage and nuances

Common phrases include på olika tillfällen (on various occasions) and vid tillfälle (at the opportunity, or when the occasion arises). The expression tillfälle ges means that an opportunity presents itself. Tillfällen tends to emphasize specific moments in time when something can occur or when it is appropriate to act, whereas synonyms such as anledning (reason or occasion for doing something) and händelse (an event or incident) have slightly different emphases. The word can refer to both past and future instances, depending on context.

Contexts and examples

In everyday language: han har träffats vid flera tillfällen (he has met on several occasions).

In formal writing or statistics: antal tillfällen registrerades (the number of occurrences was recorded).

In advisory or evaluative contexts: detta är ett bra tillfälle att ta itu med frågan (this is a good opportunity to address the issue).

Overall, tillfällen is a versatile term for describing occasions, moments, and opportunities across diverse registers.