Avkännande

Avkännande is a Swedish noun that denotes the act or process of acknowledging something—recognizing its existence, truth, or validity—and can refer to admissions, recognitions of status, rights, or feelings. The term is used in everyday language as well as in more formal or academic contexts. It covers admitting a fact, conceding a point, or becoming aware of a circumstance.

Etymology: Avkännande is formed from av- plus känna, literally “to feel” or “to know.” The prefix av- suggests separation or completion, yielding the sense of perceiving and taking note of something as true or real. The noun appears in both older and contemporary Swedish texts.

Contexts and usage: In psychology and philosophy, avkännande can denote awareness or recognition of one’s own mental states, emotions, or biases—self-knowledge or insight. In legal or administrative contexts, it may refer to formal acknowledgment of a document, rights, or obligations, or acknowledgment of receipt, though more specific terms such as erkännande are common in these areas. In everyday speech, it can describe a person’s admission of a mistake or a stated position.

Nuance and related terms: Avkännande is often related to erkännande, which more commonly surfaces in formal or confessional contexts. While they overlap, erkännande tends to imply a formal admission, whereas avkännande emphasizes the cognitive or perceptual act of recognizing something as real or true.

See also: erkännande; bekännelse; erkännande av skuld; medvetenhet.