Utjämnar

Utjämnar is a Swedish verb meaning to make something even or to balance differences, and by extension to smooth out irregularities or disparities. The infinitive is utjämna, with present tense utjämnar, past tense utjämnade, and supine utjämnat. The noun utjämning refers to a leveling or smoothing process, and utjämnande describes the act of evening out.

The term is used in both concrete and abstract contexts. In construction, carpentry and civil engineering, utjämna describes leveling a surface or terrain, for example by spreading material to achieve a flat, even finish. In data analysis, economics and social policy, utjämning refers to reducing differences between groups, regions or outcomes, often through normalization, redistribution or policy measures. Concepts such as income utjämning or regional utjämningar appear in discussions of equity and welfare.

Etymology and usage notes: utjämnar is formed from prefixet ut- (out, away, to completion) and jämna (to level or smooth). The phrase jämna ut is commonly used as well and can be interchangeable in many contexts. The term is widely understood in both technical and everyday Swedish.

See also: jämna ut (to level out), utjämning (leveling, smoothing; redistribution), utjämnande (leveling, smoothing in process).