kandidat

Kandidat is a term used in several languages to refer to a person who is being considered for a position, honor, or achievement. The word derives from Latin candidatus, meaning “clothed in white,” historically used for people presented for public office in ancient Rome. From this origin, many languages adopted their own forms of the word, including kandidat.

In politics and elections, a kandidat denotes an individual who is a candidate for elected office or for a party nomination. The status typically arises through nomination processes, eligibility checks, and, if required, electoral registration. The term is common in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and other languages that use Latin-derived vocabulary to describe candidacy.

In academia and science, the word occurs in the title kandidat nauk in several post-Soviet states, where it refers to the degree of Candidate of Sciences. This degree is awarded after successful completion of original research and a defense and is roughly equivalent to a PhD, though it is distinct from the higher Doktor nauk degree. The term may also appear in broader contexts to indicate someone pursuing an academic credential or completing the requirements for a degree.

The word is also used more generally to mean an applicant—for example for a scholarship, program, or job. Variants include kanditat and related forms in different languages. Across contexts, the core meaning remains: a person who is proposed, considered, or pursuing acceptance or achievement.