Välkända

Välkända is a Swedish adjective meaning well-known or famous. It describes persons, organizations, places, or phenomena that are widely recognized and frequently referenced. The form is most commonly used in the plural indefinite before a noun: välkända företag, välkända byggnader, välkända personer. In the singular, the forms are välkänd (en-ord) and välkänt (ett-ord). The definite forms are den välkända personen (en-ord) and det välkända huset (ett-ord), with the plural definite being de välkända personerna.

Etymology and construction: the word is formed from väl meaning “well” and känd meaning “known,” giving a literal sense of “well-known.” As a comparative-style adjective, välkänd denotes a higher degree of recognition than simply känd, and is commonly used across media, journalism, and everyday language.

Usage and nuances: välkända implies broad recognition or familiarity and is usually positive in tone, though could be neutral or descriptive depending on context. It can contrast with synonyms such as känd (known), berömd (famous, often with a more laudatory nuance), or omtalad (widely talked about, sometimes with controversy). Typical collocations include välkända varumärken, välkända personer, och välkända platser.

See also: känd, berömd, omtalad, välkändhet.