till sjöss

Swedish

Alternative forms

• till sjöß, til sjöß (both archaic)

Etymology

From till (“to”) ‎ sjöss (form of sjös (“sea's”) that only appears in this expression), with frozen genitive from when till governed the genitive.

Adverb

till sjöss (not comparable)

1. at sea (in a broad sense that could also include (large) lakes – see sjö)

   De hade varit till sjöss i månader

   They had been at sea for months

2. to sea (in a broad sense, like above)

   Han gick till sjöss i unga år

   He went to sea at an early age

Usage notes

• Usually implies boat travel. Compare till havs.

References

• sjö in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• sjö in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• sjö in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)