betrakta

Betrakta is a Swedish verb meaning to regard, consider, contemplate, or observe. It can denote literally looking at something, as in "hon betraktar landskapet från fönstret," and more figuratively, as in "vi betraktar situationen noggrant" meaning to examine or evaluate the matter. The verb can be used actively with a direct object, as well as in passive constructions: "Det betraktas som ..."

Etymology and cognates: The word is of Germanic origin, formed with the prefix be- and a root related to observing or considering. It has cognates in other Scandinavian languages—Danish "betragte" and Norwegian "betrakte"—and is historically linked to the German "betrachten."

Conjugation and usage: Present tense uses the stem betrakt- with -ar: jag betraktar, du betraktar, han/hon betraktar, vi betraktar, ni betraktar, de betraktar. Past tense "betraktade"; supine "betraktat." Passive/perfect: "har betraktat." Common usage notes: "betrakta" tends to be more formal or literary than colloquial "titta på" or "se," and often expresses deliberate contemplation or evaluation rather than quick glances. It can take "som" in predicative clauses: "Det betraktas som ett problem."

Examples: "Hon betraktar landskapet i stillhet." "Man bör betrakta varje alternativ innan beslut fattas." "Forskaren betraktar studien som grundläggande."