förstås

Förstås is a Swedish word that functions primarily as an adverbial particle meaning “of course,” “naturally,” or “it goes without saying.” It is used to indicate that a statement is obvious or generally accepted, and it can appear in both spoken and written language. Examples include Det var förstås ett misstag and Det är förstås viktigt att följa instruktionerna.

Grammatically, förstås is the present passive form of the verb förstå (to understand). In many contexts its idiomatic use as “of course” is not a literal passive meaning but a discourse marker that signals emphasis or shared assumption. The word can also stand alone as an interjection, Förstås!, conveying a quick agreement or confirmation.

Etymology and usage notes: förstås is formed from förstå plus the common Swedish passive suffix -s. The idiomatic sense developed over time and is now a stable part of everyday Swedish. While highly common in everyday speech, the tone of förstås can range from neutral to slightly informal, depending on context. In very formal writing, alternatives such as naturligtvis or såvitt man kan förvänta sig may be preferred to preserve a formal register.

See also and related terms: The word is related to other Swedish discourse markers that foreground obviousness, such as naturligtvis ("naturally") and så klart ("of course/clearly"), though each carries its own nuance and degree of formality.