lagom

English translation: even, just enough

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Swedish term or phrase:	lagom
English translation:	even, just enough
Entered by:	Jenny Sundelin

15:30 Dec 1, 2003

Swedish to English translations [Non-PRO]

Swedish term or phrase: lagom

Lagom är bäst.

Jenny Sundelin

se below

Explanation:
I agree with Jane, but you might want to know the etymology of "lagom". Apperently it dates back to the days of the vikings when they would share the "mjöd" (mead) from a big "dryckeshorn/mjödhorn" (horn-shaped drinking-vessel) around the room/campfire. The "mead" was shared out and if everyone had just the right amount there would be enough to last "laget om --> lagom".

Anyway, this is what I've been told, so please forgive me for not providing any references.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 26 mins (2003-12-01 15:56:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

\"apparently\", even :o)

Selected response from:

Lisa Frideborg Eddy (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:38

Grading comment

I was surprised to see that explanation. I did not know that! Thank you!
But it is true that it does not really have a translation that explains what it really means.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +4

everything in moderation..

cologne

enough

Linda Switten

se below

Lisa Frideborg Eddy (X)

Answers

9 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

everything in moderation..

Explanation:
just right, just enough, in between...vilket sammanhang???

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2003-12-01 15:42:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

lagom är ett sadant typiskt svenskt ord, det finns ingen direkt översättning.

cologne
Germany
Local time: 05:38
Native speaker of: Swedish
PRO pts in pair: 41

17 mins confidence:

enough

Explanation:
"Enough is as good as a feast"

That was the translation of the phrase I found on the following site:
http://lexikon.nada.kth.se/cgi-bin/sve-eng

I checked if I could find this phrase in any more documents:

Enough is as good as a feast. British, old-fashioned

something that you say which means you should not have more of something than you need
No, thank you, nothing more to drink for me. Enough is as good as a feast.

(from Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms)

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=enough*1 0&di...

ENOUGH
Pronunciation: i'nuf
WordNet Dictionary
Definition: [n] an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose; "enough is as good as a feast"; "there is more than a sufficiency of lawyers in this country"

http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/enough

Maybe this might help you on your way.

Linda Switten
Belgium
Local time: 05:38
Native speaker of:

Dutch

25 mins confidence:

se below

Lisa Frideborg Eddy (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:38
Native speaker of: Swedish
PRO pts in pair: 255

Grading comment

I was surprised to see that explanation. I did not know that! Thank you!
But it is true that it does not really have a translation that explains what it really means.

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations