Lagom

The Swedish word lagom derives from the archaic dative plural form of lag (law), literally meaning "according to law" but better translated as "according to custom" or "common sense." The earliest attestations appear in 17th-century texts. A popular but false etymology claims it comes from laget om ("around the team"), supposedly referring to Viking mead-sharing. The proverb "Lagom är bäst" ("The right amount is best") encapsulates Swedish values of moderation and consensus, with similar concepts found in Chinese zhōngyōng (中庸) and Thai phor phiang (พอเพียง).