Tilltala

Tilltala is a Swedish verb meaning to address or speak to someone or an audience directly. It is transitive and used when the speaker directs speech toward a person or group, often in a formal or public context, rather than merely conversing in a general sense.

The verb is formed from till- (toward) and tala (to speak). The related noun tilltal refers to an act of addressing or to an address or speech itself, as in a ceremonial address or a public speech. In use, tilltala takes a direct object that designates the audience or person being addressed, for example, "han tilltalade publiken" (he addressed the audience) or "hon tilltalade honom lugnt" (she spoke to him calmly).

Usage notes: Tilltala is common in political, ceremonial, and formal settings, where the speaker aims to direct attention or influence a particular group. In everyday language, speakers more often use alternatives such as prata med (talk to) or tala till someone in a shorter, less formal sense. The noun tilltal and related phrases cover the content or act of addressing, such as in "ett högtidligt tilltal" (a ceremonial address).

Grammatical forms: The present tense is tilltalar, the past tense is tilltalade, and the supine form is tilltalat. The verb can appear in active constructions with a direct object representing the addressed party, and in passive or indirect forms as appropriate in Swedish syntax.

See also: tilltal (an address or speech), adressera (to address in written form), tala till (to speak to, in two-word form) for related usage.