Strävanden

Strävanden is a Swedish noun meaning efforts, endeavors, or aspirations, with the plural form strävanden and the singular strävan. The term refers to the ongoing pursuit of a goal and often conveys a sense of motivation or principled striving rather than a single action. It is commonly used to describe personal, organizational, or collective aims over time.

Grammatically, strävanden is the plural of strävan, while the related verb is sträva. The singular form strävan denotes one striving or aspiration. Common constructions include i sina strävanden (in one’s striving) or strävanden att followed by an infinitive or noun phrase (endeavors to...). The word appears in formal, journalistic, and academic Swedish, as well as in literary prose.

Usage and nuance: strävanden can be neutral or positive and often carries connotations of perseverance and sustained commitment. It tends to emphasize the process and inner drive behind the pursuit, rather than a specific end result. It is often preferred over more concrete terms like ambitioner when the focus is on ongoing efforts toward improvement or attainment. Example: Företagets strävanden att bli koldioxidneutralt är tydliga men långsamma.

Related terms include ansträngningar (efforts), ambitioner (ambitions), och mål (goals). In English, strävanden is commonly translated as striving, endeavors, or aspirations, depending on context.