dröja

Definition & meaning

The Swedish verb dröja primarily means to take time, to be delayed, or to linger. It is used in several contexts:

1. Taking time or being delayed: It describes a duration before something happens. For example, if you say "Det dröjer," you mean "It will take some time" or "There is a delay."
2. To linger or stay: When used with the particle kvar, as in dröja kvar[?](vocabuo://word/dröja kvar), it means to remain in a place longer than expected or after others have left.
3. To hesitate or pause: It can describe a brief pause in speech or action, such as "Han dröjde med svaret" (He hesitated with the answer).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: Dröja is a weak verb belonging to the second conjugation group (2a). Its forms are:

• Infinitive: dröja
• Present: dröjer
• Past (Preterite): dröjde
• Supine: dröjt

Word origin: The word stems from the Old Swedish drøia, which is related to the adjective dryg↗ (meaning long-lasting, substantial, or prideful). It shares roots with Middle Low German drögen and is distantly related to the English word "dry" in the sense of "lasting" or "enduring."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• vänta↗ (to wait)
• stanna↗ (to stay/stop)
• sinka↗ (to delay/slow down)
• förhala↗ (to procrastinate/delay)
• ta tid[?](vocabuo://word/ta tid) (to take time)

Antonyms:

• skynda↗ (to hurry)
• hasta↗ (to hasten)
• påskynda↗ (to accelerate/speed up)