Rådfrågas

Rådfrågas is a Swedish verb used to describe the act of seeking advice by consulting someone who has knowledge or authority. The term is most common in formal or official contexts, such as government, public administration, or corporate decision-making, where a decision or proposal is reviewed with experts or stakeholders before a conclusion is reached.

The word is built from råd (advice, counsel) and frågas (asked), and it typically appears in the passive construction. In present tense, the form is rådfrågas, while past tense is rådfrågades and the supine or participle form is rådfrågats. Because it is a passive form, the focus is on the act of seeking guidance rather than on who is seeking it.

Usage and nuance: rådfrågas conveys that guidance is being sought from others, rather than that advice has already been given. It often appears in policy documents, memoranda, and official statements to indicate consultation with experts, committees, or stakeholders. It can be synonymous with terms like konsultera or fråga om råd, though those can carry slightly different connotations depending on context.

Examples: Beslutet rådfrågades av en expertpanel innan beslutet fattades. Förvaltningen rådfrågades med fackföreningar om arbetsvillkor. In both cases, the act emphasizes seeking informed input prior to taking action.

See also: konsultera, rådgivning, policyprocess, förvaltningspraxis.