tjockna

Tjockna is a Swedish verb meaning to become thicker or more viscous. It is most commonly used about liquids and semi-liquids, such as sauces, soups, gravies, or syrups, whose consistency increases during cooking, cooling, or when a thickening agent is added. The verb can also be used more generally for any substance that thickens, not limited to food.

Grammar and usage notes: Tjockna is an intransitive verb. The present tense is tjocknar, the past tense tjocknade, and the supine tjocknat. The present passive form is tjocknas, and a present participle is tjocknande. Typical sentences include examples like "Soppan tjocknar när den står och sjuder" or "Såsen tjocknar när den kokar."

Etymology and related terms: Tjockna is derived from the adjective tjock, meaning thick. The suffix -na forms a change-of-state verb. Related words include förtjocka (to thicken something, transitive) and tjockhet or tjocklek (thickness).

Usage context and nuances: In cooking, tjockna often describes the natural thickening of a liquid through reduction or the addition of a thickening agent such as flour or starch. In broader contexts, the term can apply to any substance that becomes more viscous or dense over time. The word is common in everyday Swedish and is used across scientific, culinary, and descriptive writing to convey a shift toward greater viscosity.