tålamodig

Tålamodig is a Swedish adjective that describes a person or behavior characterized by patience, the ability to wait or endure difficulties without anger or frustration. It emphasizes a calm, steady demeanor in the face of delays, mistakes, or slow progress, and it is often used to describe how someone interacts with others, especially learners, children, or stressed situations.

Etymology and form: tålamodig is formed from tålamod (patience) with the suffix -ig, which turns a noun into an adjective. The related noun tålamod denotes the quality itself, while tålamodig describes someone who possesses it. The adverbial form is tålamodigt, used to describe actions performed with patience.

Usage and nuance: tålamodig is commonly applied to people, teachers, caregivers, and professionals who handle demanding circumstances without losing composure. It is broader than mere endurance, highlighting a calm, considerate approach that respects others’ pace. It is not synonymous with merely being persistent; uthållig refers more to endurance over time, while tålamodig centers on patience and tolerance in the moment.

Synonyms and contrasts: related terms include lugn (calm) and tålmodig can be used interchangeably in many contexts, though tålamodig specifically emphasizes patience. Antonyms include otålig (impatient) and impulsiv (impulsive).

See also: tålamod (patience), otålig (impatient), tålmodig (another form sometimes used interchangeably in conversational Swedish). In English, it corresponds to patient or patient-minded.