allmänbildad
Allmänbildad is a Swedish adjective used to describe a person who possesses broad general knowledge across many fields, including culture, history, science, and current affairs. It signals cultural literacy and the ability to participate in informed discussions beyond one’s specialization. The term is common in everyday speech and in assessments of social or intellectual competence, for example when describing a person’s suitability for roles that require broad awareness.
Etymology and nuances: allmänbildad combines allmän (general, public) with bildad (educated, cultured). The related noun allmänbildning
Usage and context: In education and public life, allmänbildning can denote a foundational level of knowledge
Criticism and perspective: The notion is somewhat imprecise and culturally contingent, reflecting which topics are valued