förtrösta

Förtrösta is a Swedish verb meaning to place trust in someone or something, to rely on or have confidence in them, often in uncertain or difficult situations. The sense commonly implies a degree of hope or assurance that things will turn out well. The corresponding noun is förtröstan, meaning trust or reliance.

Etymology and nuance: the word is built from the prefix för- added to trösta (to comfort). In its current use, it conveys entrusting or counting on something beyond mere reassurance, and it appears in both religious and secular language. In religious contexts, phrases like förtrösta på Gud are common.

Usage and grammar: förtrösta is typically used with the preposition på, as in förtrösta på någon eller något (to rely on someone or something) or förtrösta på Gud. It can also be used with mötton, as in förtrösta sig på sin egen förmåga (to place trust in one’s own ability). The verb forms in Swedish are inflected as a regular strong verb: infinitive förtrösta; present förtröstar; past förtröstade; supine förtröstat.

Context and alternatives: in modern Swedish, lita på and hoppas are common synonyms but carry slightly different emphasis. Förtrösta tends to express deeper reliance or existential confidence rather than casual belief.

See also: lita på, tro på, hoppas.