Upptäcktsfärd

Upptäcktsfärd is a Swedish noun that denotes a journey undertaken to discover unknown places, cultures, or phenomena, with the aim of widening knowledge. The term can apply to historical voyages of exploration, scientific fieldwork, or more metaphorical quests for new understanding. It is used in both academic and popular contexts to describe purposeful travel in search of information or discovery.

The word is a compound of upptäcka, to discover, and färd, a journey or travel. The construction mirrors similar terms in Nordic languages and has long been used in Swedish to frame exploratory travel as a deliberate, knowledge-seeking activity.

Historically, upptäcktsfärd has been associated with maritime and polar exploration, geography, and natural science, as well as with literature and travel writing that emphasizes adventure and discovery. In Swedish-language historical narratives, it can denote the process of mapping unknown coasts, recording new species, or documenting unfamiliar landscapes.

In modern usage, upptäcktsfärd retains its core sense of purposeful exploration but is also used more broadly to describe research missions, field studies, or educational programs designed to uncover new information. It can be employed literally for expeditions or metaphorically for intellectual ventures in science, culture, and beyond.

Related terms include expedition, utforskning, and forskningsfärd.