kompetenta

Kompetenta is a Swedish adjective used to describe people, groups, or things that possess the necessary skills, knowledge, or abilities to perform a task effectively. The form kompetenta is used before plural nouns in the indefinite form, as in kompetenta personer (“competent people”). In definite noun phrases, the form remains kompetenta, for example de kompetenta personerna (“the competent people”). The corresponding singular form is kompetent.

Etymology and related forms: The word derives from Latin competens, meaning fitting, suitable, or capable, and entered Swedish through European languages over time. The related noun kompetens means “competence,” and it is used in compounds such as kompetensutveckling (“development of competence”). These terms share the same root and are common in organizational, educational, and professional contexts.

Usage and nuance: Kompetenta is commonly used in professional and academic discourse to describe individuals or teams with demonstrated qualifications. It is not a noun, and its plural form is employed only with plural nouns. While synonyms like skicklig (skilled) or duktig (capable) can be appropriate, kompetenta places emphasis on possessing the necessary competence or qualifications for a task. Example: Vi söker kompetenta kandidater till projektgruppen (“We are seeking competent candidates for the project team”).

See also: Kompetenz-related terms in Swedish, such as kompetens and kompetensutveckling, and related concepts in English and other Scandinavian languages.