Tillägnas

Tillägnas is a Swedish verb form used to indicate that a work or artifact is dedicated to someone or something. It is the present passive form of tillägna, and translates roughly as “is dedicated to.” The construction is common in the front matter of books, music, films, and other works.

Etymology: The form derives from till- meaning toward and ägna meaning to devote or set aside. The combination conveys the act of devoting a work or effort to a person, memory, or cause.

Usage: In Swedish you frequently encounter sentences such as “Boken tillägnas minnet av vår far” (The book is dedicated to the memory of our father) or “Detta verk tillägnas alla som kämpat för frihet.” The passive construction emphasizes the recipient of the dedication rather than the doer.

Distinctions: Tillägna has another sense meaning “to devote to” or “to appropriate for oneself” when used with reflexive pronouns as tillägna sig. In that sense it means to acquire or claim something for oneself. The context typically makes the intended meaning clear, and different forms (non-passive or reflexive) are used accordingly.

Notes: Tillägnas is a formal, literary, or documentary-expression device common in publication front matter and ceremonial inscriptions. Related verbs include ägna and tillägna, which share semantic connections around devotion and dedication.

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