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A2 adjective 7 min read

fysisk

Examples fysisk in 30 Seconds
Explanation fysisk in your Level:
At the A1 level, think of fysisk as a word that describes things you can touch or your body. You might use it to say you are reading a 'physical book' (en fysisk bok) instead of an e-book. It is a simple adjective that helps you describe the world around you. You don't need to worry about complex scientific meanings yet. Just focus on the fact that it means 'physical' and remember that it changes slightly depending on the noun (fysisk, fysiskt, fysiska). It is a helpful word for basic descriptions of your health or your belongings. For example, 'Jag gillar fysisk aktivitet' (I like physical activity) is a great sentence for a beginner.
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At the A2 level, you start using fysisk to talk about health and work. You will encounter phrases like 'fysisk hälsa' (physical health) and 'fysiskt arbete' (physical work). You should now be comfortable with the three forms: 'fysisk' for en-nouns, 'fysiskt' for ett-nouns, and 'fysiska' for plural. You might also use it to distinguish between meeting someone in person ('ett fysiskt möte') versus online. This is an important distinction in modern Swedish life. You are beginning to see how the word applies to both the human body and the material objects in your environment.
By B1, fysisk becomes a tool for more detailed discussions. You can talk about the 'fysiska miljön' (physical environment) at work or school. You understand that it is the opposite of 'psykisk' (mental) and 'digital' (digital). You can use the adverbial form 'fysiskt' to describe how an action is performed, such as 'Han är fysiskt närvarande' (He is physically present). You are also becoming aware of more formal terms like 'fysisk person' (a legal term for an individual). Your ability to use the word in different grammatical contexts is becoming more natural and automatic.
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At the B2 level, you use fysisk in abstract and scientific discussions. You can talk about 'fysiska lagar' (laws of physics) or 'fysiska hinder' (physical obstacles) in a metaphorical sense. You are able to distinguish 'fysisk' from synonyms like 'kroppslig' (bodily) or 'materiell' (material) based on the context. You might participate in debates about 'fysisk träning' vs 'mental träning'. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use the word in professional settings, such as discussing the 'fysiska förutsättningar' (physical conditions) for a project or a building site. You handle the declension perfectly even in complex sentences.
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At the C1 level, your use of fysisk is nuanced and precise. You understand its role in specialized fields like law ('fysisk person' vs 'juridisk person') and philosophy ('fysisk realism'). You can discuss the 'fysiska manifestationen' of an idea or a disease. You use the word to add professional weight to your speech and writing. You are also sensitive to the stylistic difference between 'fysisk' and more poetic or archaic terms. You can read academic texts about 'fysisk geografi' or 'fysisk kemi' without difficulty, understanding exactly how the adjective modifies the scope of the subject matter.
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At the C2 level, fysisk is a word you use with total mastery. You can engage in high-level academic discourse regarding the 'fysiska universums beskaffenhet' (the nature of the physical universe). You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Greek origins into Swedish. You can use it ironically or metaphorically in literature and high-level rhetoric. There is no nuance of the word—whether it relates to the body, the material world, or the laws of nature—that you do not grasp. You can effortlessly switch between its various registers, from casual conversation about gym habits to formal legal definitions of personhood.
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Examples

fysisk in 30 Seconds

  • Fysisk means 'physical' and relates to the body or material objects.
  • It changes to 'fysiskt' for ett-nouns and 'fysiska' for plural/definite.
  • Commonly used in health, work, and technology contexts (digital vs. physical).
  • It is the standard antonym for 'psykisk' (mental) and 'digital'.
The Swedish word fysisk is an adjective that translates directly to 'physical' in English. It is a loanword with Greek roots, appearing in Swedish much like it does in other Germanic and Romance languages. At its core, it refers to everything related to the body, the material world, or the laws of nature (physics). In everyday Swedish, you will encounter this word most frequently when discussing health, exercise, or the distinction between the digital and the tangible world.
The Bodily Aspect
When Swedes talk about 'fysisk hälsa' (physical health), they are referring to the state of the body, often contrasting it with 'psykisk hälsa' (mental health). This is a very common pairing in Swedish social discourse.

Regelbunden fysisk aktivitet är viktigt för att må bra.

The Material Aspect
In the modern era, fysisk is used to distinguish tangible objects from digital ones. For instance, a 'fysisk bok' is a paper book, and a 'fysisk butik' is a brick-and-mortar store as opposed to an online shop.

Vi lever i en fysisk värld med begränsade resurser.

The Scientific Aspect
In academic or scientific contexts, it relates to the field of physics. 'Fysiska lagar' refers to the laws of physics that govern the universe. It implies something that is observable and measurable through scientific methods.

Det finns inga fysiska hinder för att genomföra projektet.

Han föredrar fysiskt arbete framför att sitta vid ett skrivbord hela dagen.

Mötet kommer att ske i en fysisk miljö, inte via Zoom.

Understanding the nuance of fysisk allows you to navigate conversations about biology, technology, and philosophy with ease. It is a versatile building block for anyone reaching the A2 level of Swedish proficiency.
Using fysisk correctly requires attention to Swedish adjective declension. Because it is an adjective, its ending changes based on the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
Common Gender (En-nouns)
For en-nouns in the singular indefinite form, use 'fysisk'. Example: 'En fysisk person' (A natural person/individual).

Hon har en enorm fysisk styrka efter all träning.

Neuter Gender (Ett-nouns)
For ett-nouns in the singular indefinite form, add a '-t' to the end: 'fysiskt'. Example: 'Ett fysiskt test' (A physical test).

Barnet behöver fysiskt skydd mot kylan.

Plural and Definite Forms
For all plural nouns and all definite nouns (both en and ett), use 'fysiska'. Example: 'De fysiska kraven' (The physical requirements).

De fysiska butikerna kämpar mot e-handeln.

Är du fysiskt närvarande på kontoret idag?

Det är en fysisk omöjlighet att vara på två platser samtidigt.

In Swedish syntax, fysisk usually precedes the noun it describes. However, it can also follow a linking verb like 'vara' (to be) or 'bli' (to become). When it follows a verb, it still must agree with the subject's gender and number. For instance, 'Boken är fysisk' (The book is physical) vs 'Arbetet är fysiskt' (The work is physical). Mastery of these variations is key to sounding natural in Swedish.
You will hear fysisk in a variety of settings, ranging from the gym to the boardroom. In Sweden, there is a strong cultural emphasis on health, making it a staple in medical and fitness contexts.
In the Healthcare System
Doctors often use the term 'fysisk undersökning' (physical examination) when they need to check your body rather than just talking about symptoms. You might also hear about 'fysisk aktivitet på recept' (physical activity on prescription), a unique Swedish practice where doctors prescribe exercise as medicine.

Läkaren gjorde en noggrann fysisk kontroll av patienten.

In the Workplace
With the rise of remote work, Swedes frequently discuss 'fysiska möten' (physical meetings) versus digital ones. HR departments also focus on the 'fysiska arbetsmiljön' (physical work environment), which includes ergonomics, lighting, and safety.

Vi behöver förbättra den fysiska arbetsmiljön på lagret.

Det fanns inga tecken på fysiskt våld vid händelsen.

Träning ger både fysisk och mental energi.

Har du en fysisk kopia av kontraktet?

From the 'fysiska lagar' taught in schools to the 'fysisk närvaro' required for certain ceremonies, the word permeates all levels of Swedish society. It is a word that bridges the gap between science and daily life, making it essential for any learner.
Even though fysisk looks like 'physical', English speakers often make specific errors when using it in Swedish.
Mistake 1: Forgetting Declension
The most common error is using 'fysisk' for everything. Remember: 'fysiskt' for ett-nouns and 'fysiska' for plural. Saying 'ett fysisk test' is a glaring grammatical error; it must be 'ett fysiskt test'.

Fel: Ett fysisk hinder. Rätt: Ett fysiskt hinder.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Psykisk'
While not a grammatical error, learners sometimes mix up 'fysisk' (body) and 'psykisk' (mind). In Swedish, 'psykisk' is the standard antonym when discussing health. Ensure you are describing the correct 'half' of the human experience.
Mistake 3: Overuse in Place of 'Konkret'
Sometimes learners use 'fysisk' when they mean 'concrete' or 'tangible' in a non-material sense. While 'fysisk' works for a physical object, 'konkret' is often better for ideas or plans. 'En konkret plan' (A concrete plan) is more natural than 'en fysisk plan'.

Många blandar ihop fysiskt med 'kroppsligt', men fysiskt är bredare.

Tänk på att fysiska lagar inte är samma sak som juridiska lagar.

By being mindful of these pitfalls—especially the agreement of the '-t' and '-a' endings—you will avoid the most frequent errors made by English speakers learning Swedish.
Swedish has several words that overlap with fysisk, but they carry different connotations. Understanding these will make your Swedish more precise.
Kroppslig
This word specifically means 'bodily'. While 'fysisk' can refer to a chair or a planet, 'kroppslig' is almost always about the human body. Use 'kroppslig bestraffning' for corporal punishment, but 'fysisk aktivitet' for physical activity.
Materiell
This refers to 'material' things. It is often used in economic or legal contexts, like 'materiell välfärd' (material welfare) or 'materiella skador' (property damage). It focuses on the substance rather than the physics or the body.

Är det en fysisk skada eller en materiell förlust?

Konkret
Meaning 'concrete', it is the opposite of 'abstrakt' (abstract). If you want to say a plan is solid and real, use 'konkret'. If you want to say a meeting is happening in person, use 'fysisk'.

Vi behöver fysiska bevis för att gå vidare.

Det fysiska avståndet mellan oss är stort.

Choosing the right word demonstrates a high level of Swedish fluency. While fysisk is a safe bet for most things related to matter and the body, experimenting with 'kroppslig' or 'konkret' will add depth to your vocabulary.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈfyːsɪsk/
US /ˈfyːsɪsk/
Primary stress on the first syllable: FY-sisk.
Rhymes With
Psykisk Kritisk Politisk Praktisk Typisk Logisk Magisk Tragisk
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'y' like English 'i' (as in 'fish'). It should be rounded like 'ü'.
  • Making the 's' sound like a 'z'. Swedish 's' is always voiceless.
  • Dropping the final 'k'.
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Examples by Level

1

Jag har en fysisk bok.

I have a physical book.

Fysisk (en-noun: bok).

2

Är det en fysisk butik?

Is it a physical store?

Fysisk (en-noun: butik).

3

Min fysiska hälsa är bra.

My physical health is good.

Fysiska (definite: hälsa).

4

Vi behöver fysisk aktivitet.

We need physical activity.

Fysisk (en-noun: aktivitet).

5

Det är ett fysiskt test.

It is a physical test.

Fysiskt (ett-noun: test).

6

De har fysiska spel.

They have physical games.

Fysiska (plural: spel).

7

Han är fysiskt stark.

He is physically strong.

Fysiskt (adverbial use).

8

En fysisk karta är bäst.

A physical map is best.

Fysisk (en-noun: karta).

1

Fysisk träning hjälper mot stress.

Physical training helps against stress.

Fysisk (en-noun: träning).

2

Jag föredrar ett fysiskt möte.

I prefer a physical meeting.

Fysiskt (ett-noun: möte).

3

Det finns inga fysiska kopior kvar.

There are no physical copies left.

Fysiska (plural: kopior).

4

Han arbetar med fysiskt arbete.

He works with physical labor.

Fysiskt (ett-noun: arbete).

5

Den fysiska miljön är viktig.

The physical environment is important.

Fysiska (definite: miljö).

6

Är du fysiskt trött?

Are you physically tired?

Fysiskt (adverbial modifying an adjective).

7

Vi säljer fysiska produkter.

We sell physical products.

Fysiska (plural: produkter).

8

Det är en fysisk utmaning.

It is a physical challenge.

Fysisk (en-noun: utmaning).

1

Fysisk närvaro krävs vid provet.

Physical presence is required for the exam.

Fysisk (en-noun: närvaro).

2

Det finns ett fysiskt hinder på vägen.

There is a physical obstacle on the road.

Fysiskt (ett-noun: hinder).

3

Barns fysiska utveckling går fort.

Children's physical development goes fast.

Fysiska (definite/possessive construction).

4

Han har god fysisk kondition.

He has good physical condition/fitness.

Fysisk (en-noun: kondition).

5

Vi lever i den fysiska verkligheten.

We live in the physical reality.

Fysiska (definite: verklighet).

6

Det krävs fysisk styrka för jobbet.

Physical strength is required for the job.

Fysisk (en-noun: styrka).

7

De fysiska lagarna kan inte brytas.

Physical laws cannot be broken.

Fysiska (plural definite: lagar).

8

Är du fysiskt förberedd?

Are you physically prepared?

Fysiskt (adverbial).

1

Fysisk planering handlar om markanvändning.

Physical planning is about land use.

Fysisk (en-noun: planering).

2

Det var en fysiskt krävande vandring.

It was a physically demanding hike.

Fysiskt (adverb modifying an adjective).

3

Fysiska symptom kan bero på stress.

Physical symptoms can be due to stress.

Fysiska (plural: symptom).

4

Vi måste se till den fysiska säkerheten.

We must ensure physical security.

Fysiska (definite: säkerhet).

5

Det finns ett fysiskt samband mellan dem.

There is a physical connection between them.

Fysiskt (ett-noun: samband).

6

Han led av fysisk utmattning.

He suffered from physical exhaustion.

Fysisk (en-noun: utmattning).

7

De fysiska egenskaperna hos materialet.

The physical properties of the material.

Fysiska (plural definite: egenskaper).

8

Butiken har en fysisk lokal i city.

The shop has a physical premise in the city.

Fysisk (en-noun: lokal).

1

En fysisk person har rättigheter och skyldigheter.

A natural person has rights and obligations.

Legal term: Fysisk person.

2

Fysisk geografi studerar jordens yta.

Physical geography studies the Earth's surface.

Scientific field: Fysisk geografi.

3

De fysiska bevisen var avgörande i rätten.

The physical evidence was decisive in court.

Fysiska (plural definite: bevis).

4

Det råder en fysisk begränsning för tillväxt.

There is a physical limit to growth.

Fysisk (en-noun: begränsning).

5

Fysiskt våld är aldrig acceptabelt.

Physical violence is never acceptable.

Fysiskt (ett-noun: våld).

6

Den fysiska gestaltningen av byggnaden.

The physical design/form of the building.

Fysiska (definite: gestaltning).

7

Han analyserade de fysiska krafterna.

He analyzed the physical forces.

Fysiska (plural definite: krafter).

8

Är medvetandet oberoende av den fysiska hjärnan?

Is consciousness independent of the physical brain?

Fysiska (definite: hjärna).

1

Fysisk realism är en ontologisk ståndpunkt.

Physical realism is an ontological position.

Philosophical term.

2

Den fysiska antropologin utforskar människans evolution.

Physical anthropology explores human evolution.

Scientific field.

3

Kvantfysik utmanar vår syn på den fysiska världen.

Quantum physics challenges our view of the physical world.

Complex scientific context.

4

Det finns en fysisk korrelation mellan variablerna.

There is a physical correlation between the variables.

Statistical/Scientific context.

5

Den fysiska infrastrukturen är eftersatt.

The physical infrastructure is neglected.

Societal/Economic context.

6

Han genomförde en fysisk rekonstruktion av brottsplatsen.

He carried out a physical reconstruction of the crime scene.

Forensic context.

7

Fysiska parametrar måste beaktas vid beräkningen.

Physical parameters must be considered in the calculation.

Technical context.

8

Den fysiska uppenbarelsen var imponerande.

The physical appearance/manifestation was impressive.

Formal/Literary context.

Common Collocations

Fysisk aktivitet
Fysisk hälsa
Fysiskt arbete
Fysiskt möte
Fysisk person
Fysiska lagar
Fysisk kontakt
Fysisk miljö
Fysiskt våld
Fysisk butik

Common Phrases

Fysisk närvaro

— Being there in person.

Din fysiska närvaro är viktig för oss.

Fysisk ansträngning

— Physical effort or exertion.

Det krävs stor fysisk ansträngning för att nå toppen.

Fysisk form

— Physical fitness or shape.

Han är i god fysisk form.

Fysiska hinder

— Physical barriers or obstacles.

Vi måste ta bort alla fysiska hinder.

Fysisk fostran

— Physical education (older term).

Fysisk fostran var viktigt i skolan förr.

Fysiskt skydd

— Physical protection.

Hjälmen ger ett bra fysiskt skydd.

Fysisk närhet

— Physical proximity or closeness.

De lever i tät fysisk närhet.

Fysisk mognad

— Physical maturity.

Pojken har nått en viss fysisk mognad.

Fysiska symptom

— Bodily signs of illness.

Vilka är dina fysiska symptom?

Fysisk verklighet

— The tangible world.

Vi måste acceptera den fysiska verkligheten.

Idioms & Expressions

"Fysiskt omöjligt"

— Something that cannot happen due to the laws of nature.

Det är fysiskt omöjligt att springa så fort.

Neutral
"Ta i fysiskt"

— To exert oneself heavily using the body.

Du måste ta i fysiskt om du ska flytta soffan.

Informal
"Fysisk gestaltning"

— How something is physically represented or built.

Stadens fysiska gestaltning är vacker.

Formal
"Må bra fysiskt"

— To have good bodily health.

Jag mår bra fysiskt men är trött mentalt.

Neutral
"Fysisk person"

— A human individual (as opposed to a company).

Är du en fysisk person eller ett företag?

Legal
"Fysiska begränsningar"

— Limits of the body or material world.

Vi har alla våra fysiska begränsningar.

Neutral
"Fysisk kontakt"

— Touching or being close to someone/something.

Undvik fysisk kontakt med elledningar.

Neutral
"Fysisk träning"

— Working out or exercise.

Fysisk träning är en del av min vardag.

Neutral
"Fysiska bevis"

— Tangible evidence.

Det finns inga fysiska bevis mot honom.

Legal
"Fysisk miljö"

— The surroundings in a material sense.

Vi trivs i den fysiska miljön här.

Neutral

Word Family

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This Word in Other Languages

fysisk Danish fysisk Norwegian
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