otillräckliga

Otillräckliga is the plural form of the Swedish adjective otillräcklig, meaning not sufficient or inadequate. The term is used to describe nouns that fail to meet a required amount, standard, or quality. It is common in everyday language as well as formal contexts such as law, policy, and project planning, for example otillräckliga bevis (insufficient evidence) or otillräckliga resurser (inadequate resources).

As an attributive adjective, otillräcklig inflects for number and definiteness. The basic forms are otillräcklig (singular, common gender), otillräckligt (singular, neuter), and otillräckliga (plural). In definite plural phrases the noun often carries the definite ending, as in de otillräckliga resurserna (the insufficient resources). The word can also appear in predicative position, as in Bevisen är otillräckliga (The evidence is insufficient).

Etymology and related terms: otillräcklig is formed from tillräcklig (sufficient) with the negating prefix o-, a typical Swedish way to create opposites of adjectives. The noun form otillräcklighet means insufficiency or inadequacy, used to discuss the quality or amount itself, rather than the adjective describing something.

Usage notes: otillräcklig is chosen when describing a shortfall in capability, evidence, funding, time, or performance. It is milder than stronger terms like katastrofal or katastrofalt deficient, but clearly communicates that a threshold has not been met.

See also: tillräcklig, otillräcklighet, bristfällig.

Overall, otillräckliga functions as a standard, neutral descriptor in Swedish for plural nouns that do not meet necessary requirements.