Missöde

Missöde is a Swedish noun meaning misfortune or mishap—an event that disrupts plans or brings negative consequences. The term can describe anything from minor inconveniences to more serious incidents, and it is commonly used in everyday speech as well as in fiction and journalism.

Etymology: The word is formed from miss- (a prefix indicating something negative, similar to the English mis-) and öde, meaning fate or destiny. Grammatically, missöde is neuter: ett missöde; plural missöden.

Usage and nuance: Missöde emphasizes the involuntary or accidental nature of trouble. It often implies a sequence of events rather than a single act of wrongdoing. It is less formal than olycka, and while it can describe serious misfortune, it is frequently used for lighter, somewhat comic mishaps. Examples: Det blev ett missöde när glaset tappades och krossades. Ett missöde inträffade på resan när tåget stod stilla i timmar.

Relation to other terms: Olycka is a broader term for an accident or catastrophe and can imply greater severity. Misstag refers to a mistake made by someone, often with culpability. Missöde thus sits between everyday mishap and more serious disaster, focusing on unintended trouble rather than deliberate harm.

See also: olycka, misstag, olyckshändelse, katastrof. Missöde is a durable and versatile term in Swedish storytelling and reportage, suitable for describing a range of unfortunate events without attributing blame.