oskäligt

Oskäligt is a Swedish adverb meaning unreasonably or unjustifiably. It is used to express that something exceeds what is acceptable, warranted, or fair, often in relation to prices, demands, decisions, or behavior.

Etymology and form: the word derives from the adjective oskälig, meaning unreasonable, with the negative prefix o- and the adverbial suffix -t. The related noun oskälighet denotes the quality of being unreasonable. As an adverb, oskäligt modifies verbs, adjectives, or whole clauses, while oskälig serves as the attributive or predicative form.

Usage and examples: oskäligt commonly appears before nouns describing the thing that is deemed excessive, as in oskäligt högt pris (an unreasonably high price). It can also modify actions or expectations, for example, att kräva något oskäligt or a decision described as oskäligt av kommunens beslut. The term often carries a normative or critical tone, signaling that the speaker believes a standard of fairness or reasonableness has not been met.

Nuance and related terms: synonyms include orimligt (also meaning unreasonable) and onödigt (unnecessary), though oskäligt often conveys a stronger moral or ethical critique. The related noun oskälighet refers to the state or quality of being unreasonable, while rimlighet denotes reasonableness.

See also: oskälighet, oskälig, rimlighet, orimlighet. These terms appear in discussions of fairness, pricing, policy, and conduct in Swedish discourse.