avklare

Avklare is a Swedish verb meaning to clarify, resolve, or settle a matter definitively. It is used in formal, administrative, or investigative contexts where a situation or ambiguity is brought to a clear and final conclusion. The term emphasizes turning an unresolved issue into a definite understanding or decision.

Etymology and forms: Avklare is built from the prefix av- meaning away or off, combined with klar (clear). The base verb is avklara. Common conjugations include jag avklarar (I clarify/res solve), du avklarar, han/hon avklarar. Past tense forms are avklarade, and the supine/participial form is avklarat. The related noun avklaring denotes a clarification or resolution, while avklarande can function as a present participle meaning clarifying or resolving.

Usage: Avklara is used when describing the act of removing ambiguity or concluding discussions. Examples: “Vi måste avklara vad som gäller” (We must clarify what applies) and “Myndigheten avklarade ansvarsfrågan” (The authority resolved the question of responsibility). It tends to be somewhat formal and is common in legal, governmental, or organizational communication. While similar to klargöra (to make clear) and förklara (to explain), avklara carries a stronger sense of final resolution.

Nuance and equivalents: Avklara implies a final, official settlement rather than a simple explanation. It is closely related to the noun avklaring, which names the act or result of clarification, and to avklarande, the adjective form describing something that clarifies. In everyday language, more colloquial synonyms might be klargöra or förklara, depending on emphasis.

See also: avklaring, avklarad, avklarande, klargöra.