Segons

Segons is a preposition in Catalan meaning “according to” or “as stated by.” It introduces a source or authority for a statement, such as a report, expert opinion, regulation, or document. Segons is used in formal and written Catalan to attribute information to the appropriate source, and it is typically followed by a noun phrase that names that source. The word itself is invariable, not altered for gender or number, and it can pair with definite or indefinite noun phrases, with the article forming as l’, el, la, or simply a bare noun depending on context.

Etymology and cognates: Segons derives from the same Latin root as other Romance equivalents of “second” or “following,” notably secundus. This lineage is visible in cognates such as Spanish según and French selon, all serving the sense of “according to.” The semantic shift from a temporal or ordinal sense to a source-reference sense is common in Romance languages.

Usage notes: Segons is appropriate in a wide range of formal contexts, including journalism, official documents, academic writing, and legal or policy language. It is commonly followed by sources such as l’informe (the report), les dades (the data), els experts (the experts), or la normativa (the regulation). While it frequently introduces a factual claim, it can also precede judgments or recommendations attributed to a source.

Examples:

- Segons l’informe, la població creix un 2%.

- Segons els experts, la decisió es manté.

- Segons la normativa, cal presentar la documentació.

See also:Spanish según; French selon; Latin secundus; Catalan language.