Trovärdig

Trovärdig is a Swedish adjective meaning credible or trustworthy. It describes statements, sources, or persons in a way that suggests the information can be believed based on evidence, coherence, and perceived integrity. A trovärdig claim is one that readers or listeners are willing to accept as true given its support and presentation.

Etymology and usage context: the word is formed from tro, meaning faith or belief, and värdig, meaning worthy. It is closely connected to evaluating truthfulness and plausibility in communicative acts. In practice, trovärdig is often used for sources or claims that feel reliable, plausible, and honest, as opposed to sensational or biased content.

In everyday and professional use, trovärdig is a common criterion in journalism, science, law, and public discourse. It is frequently paired with källkritik, the practice of source criticism, to assess whether a source deserves trust. Distinctions are sometimes made between trovärdig (believable or credible) and tillförlitlig (reliable or dependable), where tillförlitlig emphasizes consistent performance over time and accuracy of data.

Nuances and limitations: showing trovärdigness depends on context, evidence, and perspective. A source can be trovärdig in one situation and not in another if new information arises or biases are revealed. Skepticism and corroboration are therefore essential components of evaluating trovärdig information.

Regional note: similar terms exist in other Scandinavian languages, such as Norwegian and Danish, with cognate forms conveying the same general idea of trustworthiness and believability.