känd

Känd is a Swedish adjective meaning "known" or "famous." It is used to describe something or someone that is widely recognized or familiar within a given context. The term can refer to a person who is well known in society, as in en känd person, or to ideas, places, or objects that are generally recognized, as in ett känt fenomen or ett känt faktum.

Etymology and linguistic notes: känd is derived from the verb känna (to know) and is the past participle form used as an adjective. It is cognate with the English "known" and the German bekannt. In Swedish, adjectives inflect for number and definiteness, so the form of känd changes with grammatical context. Typical forms include känd (indefinite singular common gender), känt (neuter singular), and kända (plural or definite forms). Examples include den kända mannen (the well-known man), det kända namnet (the known name), and ett känt problem (a known problem).

Related terms: kändis is a noun meaning "celebrity" or "a famous person," while kännedom refers to knowledge or awareness of something. The distinction between känd (known/famous) and kändis (celebrity) is common in Swedish usage and helps convey different nuances of recognition.

See also: knowledge, fame, terminology related to recognition in Swedish.