onödig

Onödig is a Swedish adjective meaning unnecessary or not required. It describes something that serves no essential purpose, or is superfluous, wasteful, or excessive. The word is used with nouns, for example onödiga kostnader (unnecessary costs) or en onödig fördröjning (an unnecessary delay). The corresponding adverb is onödigt, as in Det är onödigt att vänta. The noun form onödighet refers to the state or quality of being unnecessary.

Etymology and related forms: Onödig is formed from nödig (necessary) with the negating prefix on-. The prefix on- is a common negative marker in Scandinavian languages, and the concept has cognates in Danish and Norwegian with similar meaning and usage.

Usage and nuance: Onödig is commonly used to express a value judgement about waste, inefficiency, or avoidable effort. In formal descriptions it can identify avoidable steps, costs, or actions, while still remaining neutral in many contexts. Related terms include onödvändigt (unnecessarily, or unnecessary in adverbial form) and överflödig (superfluous, in excess).

See also: nödvändighet (necessity), nödvändigt (necessary), nödig (archaic or dialectal forms related to necessity). Onödig is a standard, widely understood term in contemporary Swedish and appears in everyday speech as well as in written language.

---