ömtålig

Ömtålig is a Swedish adjective meaning delicate, fragile, or easily damaged. It is used for physical objects that require careful handling as well as for situations or topics that are sensitive or prone to cause harm if not treated with care.

Etymology and nuance: The word is a compound of öm (tender, delicate) and tålig (able to endure or withstand), conveying that something is inherently susceptible to damage and should be approached with caution. The sense can be both literal (a fragile item) and figurative (a delicate subject or situation).

Usage: Ömtålig is common in everyday speech and writing. Examples include:

- Glasen är ömtåliga. (The glasses are delicate/fragile.)

- Det är ett ömtåligt ämne. (That is a delicate/sensitive topic.)

- Huden kan vara ömtålig i kyla. (The skin can be delicate in cold)

Grammar: Ömtålig inflects for number and gender: en ömtålig (singular common gender), ett ömtåligt (singular neuter), ömtåliga (plural). The adverbial form is typically expressed by using the adjective in a suitable construction rather than a distinct adverb form.

Relation to other terms: Ömtålig is often contrasted with ord som skör or tålig. While skör emphasizes fragility, ömtålig stresses vulnerability to damage or harm, and tålig emphasizes sturdiness. In figurative uses, ömtålig highlights the need for careful handling of people, topics, or materials.