Opassande

Opassande is a Swedish adjective meaning inappropriate or unsuitable for a given context. It describes something that does not fit the circumstances, norms, or expectations. The term can apply to actions, remarks, clothing, proposals, or questions and is used in both formal and informal language, including policy documents, guidelines, and everyday speech.

In usage, opassande often conveys a sense of lack of fittingness rather than outright offensiveness. It can be milder than synonyms like olämpligt (unsuitable) or more neutral than stötande (offensive), depending on the context. Common collocations include opassande beteende (inappropriate behavior), opassande fråga (inappropriate question), and opassande kommentar (inappropriate comment).

Etymology and form: opassande is formed from the verb passa (to fit) with a negating prefix o- to indicate not fitting, combined with the suffix -ande to form an attributive/predicative adjective. It is used with both common and neuter nouns and can appear in attributive position (ett opassande förslag) or predicative position (Det är opassande).

The term appears across registers—from media and workplace guidelines to social discourse—where it serves to flag behavior or content that is judged unsuitable for a particular setting. It is part of a broader Swedish vocabulary for evaluating social norms and context-appropriate conduct. See also olämpligt, stötande, and passande as its antonym.