Oavsett

Oavsett is a Swedish word used as an adverbial conjunction that means "regardless of" or "irrespective of." It introduces a clause that remains true despite other circumstances and is common in both formal and semi-formal Swedish writing.

Etymology and form: The word appears as a compound built from a negating prefix and the stem avsett. It is primarily found in modern Swedish and is most often used to emphasize that a result or decision holds true without regard to competing factors. While its usage is widespread in written text, it is less common in casual spoken Swedish, where alternatives such as „oavsett hur“ or „trots allt“ may be preferred in everyday speech.

Usage: Oavsett typically precedes a subordinate clause, for example: “Oavsett vad som händer kommer projektet att genomföras.” Another example: “Oavsett priset finns det skäl att agera.” The construction is versatile and can introduce conditions, outcomes, or attitudes that are unaffected by other variables.

Regional and stylistic notes: In Sweden, oavsett is a standard part of contemporary written Swedish and is frequently used in journalism, policy documents, and formal discourse. In Norwegian and Danish, equivalents exist (uansett in Norwegian, uanset in Danish), reflecting regional variation in expressing the same idea. Oavsett should be used when the emphasis is on the persistence of a fact or decision beyond competing factors.

See also: Uansett (Norwegian), Uanset (Danish), regardless of, notwithstanding.