Benämnas

Benämnas is a Swedish verb in the passive voice meaning to be named or designated as something. It is formed from the active verb benämna (to name, designate, term) and is commonly used when an external party, such as an authority, expert, or a standard, assigns a name or designation to a person, object, or concept. The construction often appears in formal, scientific, administrative, or legal texts where terminology or classifications are described.

Etymology and forms: The word derives from benämna, with ben- originating from be- plus namn (name). The passive present form is benämns, and the past passive form is benämndes. The perfect passive is har benämnts, and the pluperfect passive hade benämnts. The past participle benämnd can function adjectivally, as in den benämnda termen (the designated term).

Usage notes: Benämnas emphasizes that the designation is assigned by an external actor or established convention. It is more formal and precise than kallas (is called) and is frequently found in official documents, scientific writings, taxonomy, and policy texts. In everyday speech, kallas or heter are more common equivalents. The sentence structure often involves a subject followed by benämns or benämndes, sometimes with av as the agent (e.g., benämns av forskarna).

Examples:

- Fyndet benämns som art X i studien.

- Lagen benämns i dokumentet som särskild kategori.

- Fenomenet benämns av forskarna som kvantumfluktuation.

See also: namnge, kallas, benämning.