förenlig

Förenlig is a Swedish adjective meaning compatible, reconcilable, or in conformity with something. It describes whether a statement, proposal, or rule does not conflict with another standard, principle, or law. In practice, förenlig signals that two elements can exist together or that a plan aligns with requirements.

Common usage is förenlig med followed by the element it is being compared with, for example: “förslaget är förenligt med lagen” or “åtgärden är förenlig med EU-lagstiftningen.” The term appears in legal, administrative, and policy contexts, but is also used in everyday language to express compatibility or accordance.

Etymology and related terms: Förenlig derives from the root fören- meaning “to unite” with the suffix -lig, forming an adjective that means “able to be united” or “compatible.” The noun form is förenlighet (compatibility). The opposite is oförenlig (incompatible). Related phrases include “i överensstämmelse med” (in accordance with) and “överensstämmande,” which convey similar ideas in various registers.

Nuance and scope: Using förenlig emphasizes conformity with rules, standards, or principles rather than a value judgment about desirability. The exact sense depends on context and the level of abstraction (legal text, policy debate, or everyday speech). In formal discourse, the term helps assess whether actions or proposals can be aligned with existing frameworks without creating conflicts.