Svarare

Svarare is a noun that may appear in discussions of Nordic linguistics as an agent noun formed from the verb svara, meaning "to answer." The suffix -are is a productive way in Scandinavian languages to create nouns that designate a person who performs a given action, so svarare can be read as "one who answers" or "answerer." The term is not widely used in contemporary standard Swedish and is more often encountered in historical texts, dialectal varieties, or theoretical discussions about word formation.

Etymology and formation

Svarare derives from the root svar- or svara, related to answering or replying, with the agentive suffix -are. This pattern is common in Swedish and related languages for forming occupational or role-based nouns from verbs.

Usage and attestation

In modern Swedish, svarare is not a common everyday term. It tends to appear primarily in older literature, scholarly discussions on morphology, or in specific contexts where a formal label for someone who provides a reply is desired. In everyday language, clearer circumlocutions such as "person som svarar" or the use of alternative terms like respondent in appropriate contexts are more typical.

Related terms

Other languages or registers may use analogous formations, though exact usage can vary. The concept of an “answerer” is frequently expressed with more common terms in each language, or with phrases that specify the role (for example, in formal inquiry settings, a respondent or informant).

See also

Svar, svara, respondent, agent noun, linguistic morphology.