Eftersatt

Eftersatt is an adjective used in Swedish (and Norwegian) to describe something that has not been done, delivered, or addressed by its expected or required time. It conveys a sense of belatedness, delay, or omission, and is commonly applied to responsibilities, payments, or information that should have been provided earlier but was not.

Etymologically, the word is formed from etter/efter meaning after and satt meaning placed or set, giving the sense that something has been placed after its intended moment. In practical use, eftersatt is most often encountered in administrative, financial, and contract contexts. Phrases like en eftersatt betalning (a late payment), en eftersatt leverans (a belated delivery), or eftersatt dokumentation (omitted or incomplete documentation) illustrate its core meaning.

The term implies a subjective judgment about timeliness or completeness and can carry a neutral or negative connotation depending on the context. It can be contrasted with synonyms such as försenad (delayed) or eftersatt (neglected or omitted), where the emphasis shifts from mere lateness to neglect or failure to fulfill an obligation.

In use, eftersatt is typically applied to concrete obligations rather than abstract concepts, and its exact sense can vary with domain—finance, administration, or project management—where deadlines and deliverables are important. While closely related terms exist in Nordic languages, eftersatt is most characteristic of the Swedish vocabulary, with Norwegian usage aligning in meaning and nuance.