avtjänande

Avtjänande is a Swedish noun referring to the act of rendering or performing a service, often in connection with an obligation, appointment, or formal agreement. The term is mainly found in older legal, administrative, or religious texts and is rarely used in everyday modern Swedish. Its exact sense depends on the context, but it generally denotes the fulfillment of duties rather than the provision of a product or tangible outcome.

Etymology: The word is formed from av-, a prefix that can indicate separation or removal, and tjänande, the noun form of tjänna “to serve.” The combination suggests performing service in relation to an assignment, post, or obligation.

Contexts and usage: In legal and administrative language, avtjänande can describe the fulfilment of duties tied to a post, commission, or contract, for example “avtjänandet av uppdraget” (the performance of the assignment). In religious or charitable contexts, it may describe service rendered as part of an organizational mission. The term can appear in historical records, ordinances, or church regulations.

Modern usage and alternatives: Contemporary Swedish often prefers phrases such as utföra tjänst, tjänstgöra, or uppfylla sina plikter rather than avtjänande. The term remains a historical or specialized option rather than a common synonym in current language.

See also: tjänst, tjänstgöring, avtal, plikt.