Bolaget

Bolaget is the definite form of bolag, a Swedish noun meaning company or corporation. In Swedish, bolaget refers to a specific company that has already been identified in discourse, much as “the company” does in English. The definite form is created by adding the definite article to the base noun; bolag is neuter, with the indefinite form ett bolag and the definite form bolaget.

Etymology and form: The word bolag has long been used in Swedish to denote an organized business association or enterprise. Its exact linguistic roots are debated, but the term has been a standard part of Swedish business language for centuries. The definite bolaget is used when speaking about a particular company that has been established in the conversation or text.

Usage in law and business: In contracts, financial statements, and regulatory texts, Bolaget is used to refer to the company in question. Capitalization is common in formal documents when Bolaget is treated as a defined term, distinguishing it from the general noun bolag. For example, “Bolaget ska leverera” means “The company shall deliver.” While Bolaget can refer to any corporate form, Swedish companies are often Aktiebolag (AB), a common legal status.

Related Nordic usage: In Norwegian and Danish, the equivalents are selskabet and selskabet, respectively. The use of a definite form to denote “the company” is a common feature across these languages, aiding precision in formal writing.

See also: Aktiebolag, Bolagsverket, Bolagsrätt.