kräva

Kräva is a Swedish verb meaning to demand or require something, or to assert a claim as due. It is used when someone asks for a rule, compensation, explanation, or other obligation to be met. The meaning can range from everyday requests to formal or legal demands. In addition to demanding an action, kräva can express that something is required by necessity or by rights, as in phrases like kräva sin rätt or kräva något av någon.

Etymology and cognates are tied to other Germanic languages. The verb is related to Danish kræve and Norwegian kreve, and its roots trace back to Old Norse and Proto-Germanic forms tied to the notion of demanding or claiming. The modern Swedish spelling Kräva uses the ä, distinguishing it from related forms in some other languages.

Usage and grammar: Kräva is a regular verb in its conjugation. Infinitive: kräva; present tense: kräver; past tense: krävde; supine: krävt; imperative: kräva. It commonly takes a direct object, as in "Företaget kräver anställda i närvaro," or a subordinate clause introduced by att, as in "Hon kräver att projektet slutförs i tid." It can also be used with a prepositional phrase to indicate the person from whom something is demanded: "kräva något av någon." The nuance ranges from everyday insistence to formal or legally binding demands.

Nuances and context: Kräva is typically stronger than begära, which often conveys a more formal or courteous request. In legal, institutional, or workplace contexts, kräva is frequent when asserting rights, obligations, or compliance. Related noun: krav, meaning a demand or requirement.

See also: krav (noun), begära (to request).