åsikt

Åsikt is a Swedish noun meaning opinion, a belief or judgment held about a topic. It denotes a subjective view that may be based on evidence, experience, values, or preferences. The term is used in everyday language as well as in media, politics, and academic discourse. The plural form is åsikter.

In social science, åsikt refers to an individual’s evaluative stance, which contributes to public opinion when aggregated across a population. Public opinion is the collection of many individuals’ åsikter on issues such as politics, economy, or culture, and is often measured through surveys and polls. Researchers distinguish between factual claims and evaluative åsikter, and note that opinions can change over time due to new information, discussion, or events.

Language usage centers on expressing one’s åsikt when presenting a point of view in debates, decision-making processes, or civic discourse. The term is neutral, though the framing of an åsikt can influence how it is received. Related terms include synpunkt or ståndpunkt in more formal contexts, and the plural åsikter for the collective set of views.

In policy and law, freedom of expression protects the right to hold and share personal åsikter, while public institutions may strive to present a diversity of opinions in democratic dialogue. Cross-linguistically, Swedish åsikt corresponds to similar concepts in other Nordic languages, with English often rendered as opinion.