okänt

Okänt is a Swedish adjective meaning unknown or unfamiliar. It is the neuter singular form of the attributive adjective okänd and is used to modify neuter nouns (ett-nouns) in indefinite phrases, for example ett okänt land or ett okänt namn. It can also appear in predicative, impersonal constructions such as Det är okänt, meaning “It is unknown.”

Etymology and form: the word derives from the adjective känd, meaning known, with the negating prefix o- forming okänd and its neuter singular reflex as okänt. In Swedish, adjectives change form to agree with gender and definiteness, so the corresponding forms are okänd (en-ord), okänt (ett-ord), and okända (plural or definite forms like de okända länderna).

Usage and nuance: okänt is widely used in scientific, investigative, travel, and literary contexts to indicate lack of knowledge or unfamiliarity. It often conveys that information exists but has not been established or discovered. The term can be contrasted with bekant (familiar) or obekant (unfamiliar or unknown in a more formal or literary sense). While okänt emphasizes lack of knowledge, obekant can stress unfamiliarity to a person or audience.

Usage examples:

- Ett okänt land väntade bortom horisonten.

- Det är fortfarande okänt hur urvalet påverkar resultaten.

- Okänt för de flesta.

Related terms include bekant (known/familiar) and obekant (unfamiliar in a more formal register). Okänt appears in a range of modern Swedish writing and is standard for describing unknown facts, places, or states.