påstående

Påstående is a Swedish noun meaning a claim or assertion about something being true or false. It is derived from the verb påstå (to claim). In everyday use, the term denotes a proposition that is put forward to be considered true.

In grammar and linguistics, ett påstående refers to a declarative sentence (deklarativ sats) that conveys information or a proposition. Such sentences typically express a state of affairs, follow the standard subject–verb–object order, and can be affirmed or negated. Examples include Det regnar idag and Solen står upp i öst.

In logic and rhetoric, a påstående is a claim that can be tested, supported, or refuted. It may function as a thesis or premise within an argument and often requires justification or evidence. A påstående can be explicit or implied and is assessed for truth conditions and evidentiary support. For instance, Påståendet att jorden är platt är falskt.

In legal and administrative contexts, påstående can refer to an allegation or assertion made by a party. Such påståenden are usually addressed through evidence, argument, and formal procedures. In everyday language, one may refer to one’s own påstående, meaning the assertion one makes in a given discussion.

Cross-linguistically, Swedish påstående is cognate with Norwegian påstand and Danish påstand, all sharing the core meaning of a claim or asserted proposition. The term is commonly used across contexts to distinguish factual statements from questions, commands, or exclamations.