vemodig
melancholy
Definition & meaning
The word "vemodig" is an adjective that describes a state of gentle sadness, wistfulness, or melancholy. In Swedish culture, it often carries a bittersweet connotation—a "beautiful" kind of sadness that is frequently associated with nostalgia, the passing of time, or the changing of seasons (especially the transition from summer to autumn).
It is used to describe:
- A person's mood or feelings when they are reflecting on something lost or unreachable.
- An atmosphere or artistic expression, such as a "vemodig" melody or a "vemodig" landscape, that evokes a sense of quiet longing.
Grammar & Word origin
"Vemodig" is the adjective form of the noun vemod .
The word is composed of two parts:
- ve-: An old Germanic root meaning woe, pain, or grief (cognate with the English word "woe").
- mod: In this context, it refers to one's state of mind, mood, or spirit (cognate with the English word "mood").
In Swedish grammar, the word changes based on the noun it describes:
- vemodig: Used with common gender nouns (en-words), e.g., "en vemodig blick" (a wistful look).
- vemodigt: Used with neuter gender nouns (ett-words), e.g., "ett vemodigt leende" (a melancholic smile).
- vemodiga: Used for plural nouns, e.g., "vemodiga sånger" (melancholic songs).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- melankolisk (melancholy)
- sorgsen (sad/sorrowful)
- längtansfull (longing/yearning)
- dyster (gloomy/somber)
- vemodsfylld (filled with melancholy)
Antonyms:
Make “vemodig” part of your vocabulary.
Build your Swedish vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Musiken är mycket vemodig.adjective
The music is very melancholy.
Keep exploring Swedish
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad