värra

Värra is a Swedish verb that historically means to worsen or to aggravate a situation or condition. In modern standard Swedish, värra is seldom used as a standalone verb and is largely found in older texts, literary contexts, or regional dialects. For contemporary expression of worsening, Swedish speakers typically use the prefixed verb förvärra or the passive förvärras.

Usage and nuance: Värra is not a productive verb in standard usage today. When it appears, it is usually in specialized or historical registers rather than in everyday speech. The common way to convey the sense of making something worse in current language is through förvärra (to worsen) or its forms such as förvärras (to be worsened). This reflects a general shift in modern Swedish away from värra toward compounds and periphrastic constructions.

Etymology and relation to other forms: Värra is believed to be related to the adjective värre (worse), sharing a common Germanic root linked to the notion of worsening. Because värra is largely archived in older language stages, etymological notes are typically found in historical dictionaries rather than in everyday reference grammars.

See also: förvärra, förvärras, värre.

Notes: If you encounter värra in a text, it is likely either archaic, literary, or dialectal. For standard writing about deterioration or aggravation today, prefer förvärra and its related forms. As with many Swedish verbs, consulting a reliable dictionary can help confirm regional usage and historical forms.