avseende
Regarding/with Respect to
'Avseende' is a formal preposition that means 'regarding', 'concerning', or 'with respect to'. It specifies what something is about.
How It Works
'Avseende' is a preposition that belongs to a more formal register of Swedish. It is used to introduce a topic with precision, similar to the English 'regarding', 'concerning', or 'with respect to'.
Usage:
It is most commonly found in written language, especially in official, legal, academic, and business contexts. You would rarely hear it in casual conversation.
Structure:
The structure is straightforward: avseende + noun/noun phrase.
Synonyms and Alternatives:
'Avseende' is part of a group of formal prepositions with similar meanings. Choosing between them is often a matter of style and convention within a specific field.
- Angående: A very common and direct synonym.
- Beträffande: Another formal synonym, meaning 'concerning'.
- Rörande: Literally 'touching upon', used to mean 'regarding'.
- När det gäller: A phrasal alternative, 'when it comes to', which is common in both spoken and written Swedish and is less formal than 'avseende'.
- Om: The most common and neutral preposition for 'about'. Om is usually simpler when it fits the construction. These words cannot be substituted mechanically in every expression.
There is also the related phrase med avseende på, which means 'with regard to' or 'in terms of' and is used in a very similar way.
Topic Marker And Noun
Avseende introduces a topic in expressions such as en fråga avseende fakturan. Its administrative style is a register feature, not a ban on speaking it aloud. In simpler prose, en fråga om fakturan often communicates the same thing.
Distinguish this topic-marking use from the noun ett avseende, meaning an aspect or respect: i flera avseenden means in several respects. Med avseende på is a related multiword expression. The presence of the same spelling does not give all three constructions the same syntax.
Examples (5)
- Beslut har fattats avseende nästa års budget.
A decision has been made regarding next year's budget.
Word by Word: Decision has been made regarding next year's budget.
- Jag har en fråga avseende fakturan från förra månaden.
I have a question concerning the invoice from last month.
Word by Word: I have a question regarding the invoice from last month.
- Rapporten innehåller ny information avseende projektets framsteg.
The report contains new information with respect to the project's progress.
Word by Word: The report contains new information regarding the project's progress.
- Avseende er förfrågan kan vi meddela att varan nu finns i lager.
Regarding your inquiry, we can inform you that the item is now in stock.
Word by Word: Regarding your inquiry can we inform that the item now is in stock.
- Myndigheten har publicerat nya riktlinjer avseende säkerhet på arbetsplatsen.
The authority has published new guidelines concerning safety in the workplace.
Word by Word: The authority has published new guidelines regarding safety at the workplace.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The pattern 'avseende' is a highly formal prepositional marker used in legal and academic Swedish. It is derived from the present participle of the verb 'avse' (to intend/refer to). To use it correctly, learners should be familiar with how present participles function as prepositions and be comfortable with formal sentence structures and noun cases.
- angåendeRegarding/concerning
Both are formal topic markers using the present participle form; 'angående' is a more common entry point for this grammatical structure.
Level 4 - Genitive case
In formal Swedish, 'avseende' is often used in the construction 'i detta avseende' or followed by genitive structures to specify the scope of the topic.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- beträffandeConcerning/regarding
Another formal preposition meaning 'concerning'. Like 'avseende', it is used in formal written contexts to introduce a specific topic.
Level 4 - omAbout/if
Om is a neutral topic preposition. In the fixed opinion construction tycka om, use Vad tycker du om filmen? Avseende is not a mechanical substitute for every om, even when a more formal tone is wanted.
Level 1 - när det gällerWhen It Comes to
A common phrasal alternative meaning 'when it comes to'. It serves the same function of introducing a topic but is less formal than 'avseende' and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including speech.
Level 4 - med avseende påWith Regard to
A closely related prepositional phrase meaning 'with regard to' or 'in terms of'. It functions almost identically to 'avseende' but is structured as a multi-word unit.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice avseende in Bubblegum
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