avväxlas

Avväxlas is a Swedish verb meaning to switch places, tasks, or roles between two or more parties and to take turns in performing something. The form avväxlas is the passive present tense, typically used when the exchange is mutual and ongoing, as in “ansvaret avväxlas mellan medarbetarna.” The term emphasizes an equal, reciprocal rotation rather than a unilateral transfer of responsibility.

Etymology and use: Avväxla is built from växla, to exchange or switch, with the prefix av- indicating a reversal or removal. Avväxlas thus conveys a situation where duties or positions are exchanged among participants. The construction is common in organizational, educational, and domestic contexts, where tasks or roles are rotated to share workload or to develop different competencies.

Usage notes: Avväxlas often implies an agreed or coordinated arrangement and is used for ongoing or planned rotation. It can describe the distribution of responsibilities in teams, shifts, project roles, or household chores. In some contexts, more everyday language equivalents such as turas om or rotera might be used, but avväxlas places emphasis on mutual exchange.

Examples:

- Arbetsuppgifterna avväxlas mellan teammedlemmarna varje vecka.

- Ansvar för mötet avväxlas mellan de två avdelningarna.

- Lektakerna avväxlas mellan barnen efter varje lekperiod.

Se also: växla, växling, turas om, rotation.