avhände

Avhända is a Swedish verb meaning to dispose of, relinquish, or transfer ownership or rights of something to another person. It is used primarily in legal, administrative, or formal contexts to describe a change of possession or control, often through sale, gift, or assignment. The action can involve property, rights, or obligations.

Usage and scope

Avhända is transitive and typically requires a direct object for what is being disposed of and an indirect element indicating the recipient or the manner of transfer. Common contexts include transferring property to a buyer, gifting assets, or relinquishing rights in an inheritance or contractual arrangement. In everyday speech, more common verbs such as överlåta, avyttra, skänka, or överföra are often used, while avhända emphasizes the act of disposal or transfer itself.

Nuances and contrasts

Avhända generally implies a formal or decisive transfer of ownership or control. It can contrast with avstå, which means to renounce or refrain from a right or obligation without transferring ownership. The choice of verb depends on whether ownership moves to another party or simply ends for the speaker’s possession.

Examples

- Företaget avhände sina aktier till köparen.

- Han avhände sin egendom i arvet till sina barn.

Etymology

The term is formed with the prefix av- (indicating separation or removal) attached to a verb related to ownership and transfer, and it is predominantly found in legal or formal language.