Utväg

Utväg is a Swedish noun meaning a way out, exit, or a solution to a problem. The term can denote both a physical passage that leads out of a place and a figurative option that resolves a difficult situation. It is formed from ut- meaning “out” and väg meaning “way.” In its figurative sense, utväg is often used to describe a possible option or rescue from a dilemma, rather than a predetermined or mandated route.

In everyday language, utväg can refer to both literal and metaphorical exits. For physical contexts, however, more specific terms are common, such as flyktväg (evacuation route) or nödutgång (emergency exit). Utväg tends to emphasize the notion of an available option or solution rather than a designated safety passage. In figurative usage, phrases like hitta en utväg (to find a way out) and ta sig ur en knipa (to get out of a tight spot) illustrate its broader meaning.

The word appears across contexts—from journalism and politics to literature and everyday speech—where speakers discuss strategies, compromises, or escape from circumstances. Synonyms and related expressions include lösning (solution) and alternativ (alternative), while the exact nuance depends on context: utväg often implies practicality and immediacy in resolving a problem.

Grammatically, utväg is a common, gendered noun. The indefinite form is en utväg; the definite singular is utvägen, and the plural forms are utvägar (indefinite) and utvägarna (definite). Related phrases and derivations are readily understood in Swedish and shared cognates exist in other Scandinavian languages.