Lingolib
Start free
Swedish adverb · adjective

lagom

sufficient, enough, adequate, just right/ˈlɑːˌɡɔm/

How lagom is used

Lagom means just the right amount: not too much, not too little. It is used about everything from coffee temperature to working hours, and is often described as a Swedish ideal of moderation. There is no one-word English equivalent; “just right”, “enough” or “in moderation” come closest depending on the sentence.

lagom as an adverb

Meaning

sufficient; enough; adequate; just right

In Swedish: inte för mycket och inte för lite, passande, lämpligt

lagom as an adjective

Meaning

right, fitting, neither too much nor too little

Practise lagom

1 / 1

What does lagom mean?

lagom in a sentence

  • Kaffet är lagom varmt.
    The coffee is just the right temperature.
  • Hur mycket socker vill du ha? – Lagom.
    How much sugar do you want? – Not too much.
  • Lagom är bäst.
    Everything in moderation. (a common saying)
  • boken kommer ut lagom till jul
    the book will be out just in time for Christmas
  • lagom är bäst
    enough is as good as a feast
  • Soppan är lagom saltad.
    The soup is salted just right.
  • Den här lägenheten är precis lagom stor för min dotter.
    This apartment is just the right size for my daughter.
  • Är kaffet för varmt? —Nej, det är lagom.
    Is the coffee too hot? —No, it's just right.

Questions

What does lagom mean in English?

lagom means “sufficient, enough”.

Similar words

tillräcklig

Origin

The adjective is attested since 1637, from the plural dative form of lag (“law”), so literally "with the laws".

Nearby common words

lagom is number 5,051 in our frequency list. These words come just before and after it.

Start today, free

Learn lagom in real Swedish, free

Words stick when you hear them used. Complete Swedish Season 1 is 49 short video lessons with a synced transcript, free on the site with no account. A free account saves words like lagom to your library and quizzes you on them, plus 7 days of the AI tutor and speaking practice when you confirm your email.

  • Season 1 free in full: 49 lessons
  • Synced transcript with English translations
  • 7-day free trial of the AI tutor and speaking practice
  • Members get the latest season and every new course
Watch lesson 1 freeCreate a free account

Sources: Folkets lexikon (CC BY-SA 2.5) and Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), edited by Lingolib. Recording: Wikimedia Commons. Browse the dictionary