jämställa

Jämställa is a Swedish verb that means to bring two or more things to the same level or condition, to equalize differences, or to balance and compensate. The sense can cover social, economic, or technical contexts, from equalizing conditions for people to reconciling financial accounts.

Etymology and form: The verb derives from jämn, meaning even or equal, and ställa, meaning to place or set. The term is related to other Nordic languages and forms a common basis for phrases describing leveling or balancing processes. The related noun form is jämställdhet when referring to equality or parity, often used in the context of social and gender equality.

Common usage and contexts: In social policy and employment, jämställa is used to describe efforts to create equal conditions or opportunities, such as jämställa könen (to equalize the treatment of men and women) or efforts to achieve gender parity. In accounting and finance, the verb can denote balancing or offsetting items, such as jämställa skulder och tillgångar or reconciling accounts. In data work, it may describe procedures to harmonize datasets so that variables align across sources.

Nuance and related concepts: Jämställa is distinct from utjämna, which more often means to smooth out or even out irregularities, and from jämställdhet, which denotes the broader concept of equality between groups, particularly gender equality. Parity, equity, and balance are recurring themes in its usage.

See also: jämställdhet, utjämna, paritet, balans.