Avlämna

Avlämna is a Swedish verb meaning to hand over or deliver something to a recipient, such as an authority, an organization, or another person. It also covers the act of submitting or turning in documents, reports, or assignments. The term is relatively formal and emphasizes that the handing over has been completed.

The verb is typically used with a recipient indicated by prepositions such as till or hos: for example, avlämna en rapport till myndigheten (to deliver a report to the authority) or avlämna nycklarna hos receptionen (to hand over the keys at the reception). In many contexts, it is interchangeable with but more formal than lämna or överlämna. It is common in administrative, legal, and organizational language. In everyday language, speakers might prefer refiere to “lämna in” (to submit) for tasks like assignments, while avlämna remains common in formal communications and official processes.

Grammatically, avlämna is a transitive verb. Present tense: avlämnar; past tense: avlämnade; present perfect: har avlämnat. The past participle is avlämnat, used in compound tenses. The present participle form avlämnande can function as a noun describing the act of handing over. Imperative: avlämna.

Etymology: the prefix av- adds a sense of completion or separation to lämna (to leave or hand over). Related terms include överlämna (to hand over, often in a ceremonial or formal sense) and inlämna (to submit or hand in, common in administrative contexts).

See also: lämna, inlämna, överlämna.