bedriva

Bedriva is a Swedish verb meaning to carry on, conduct, or operate something over an extended period. It is commonly used to describe performing ongoing activities in areas such as business, research, or public administration. In formal language it appears in phrases like bedriva Handel or bedriva forskning.

Etymology and usage: The verb is formed from be- plus driva (to drive). It conveys the idea of initiating and sustaining an activity rather than performing a single action. Bedriva is typical of formal registers and is frequently found in corporate reporting, policy documents, and administrative language. It is generally used with nouns that name activities.

Common constructions include bedriva handel (to conduct trade), bedriva verksamhet (to run an operation), and bedriva forskning (to conduct research). The form aligns with standard Swedish verb inflection, changing with tense and subject. Cognate forms exist in Danish and Norwegian, where bedrive/bedriva are used with similar meanings.

Usage notes: bedriva emphasizes structured, intentional activity management and is usually associated with organized efforts rather than casual action. Its use can signal formal planning and accountability, particularly in business, government, and academic contexts.

See also: driva, verksamhet, handel.