ömtåligt

Ömtåligt is a Swedish adjective used to describe something that is easily damaged or requires careful handling. It can refer to physical objects that are fragile, such as glassware, antiques, or delicate materials, and it can also describe situations or topics that are sensitive or emotionally fragile, for example an ömtåligt ämne or ömtåliga känslor.

The term is formed with a prefix that signals heightened sensitivity and the idea of something that can be harmed more easily than normal. In practice, ömtåligt is used for both tangible objects and intangible concepts to convey a need for cautious treatment. Common expressions include ömtåligt gods (fragile goods) in shipping and ömtåliga frågor or ömtåliga ämnen in discussions or journalism.

In usage, the adjective agrees with the noun in gender and number, for example en ömtålig sak (common gender) and ett ömtåligt brev (neuter). Synonyms include känslig, delikat, skör, while antonyms include tålig, robust, hållbar. The concept also appears in phrases emphasizing careful handling, such as “behandla ömtåligt” or “förvara ömtåligt materia.” Ömtåligt remains a common, neutral term in everyday Swedish for both material fragility and the sensitivity of subjects or emotions.