tillsätta

Tillsätta is a Swedish verb with two primary meanings that are common in everyday language as well as institutional contexts. The prefix till- signals addition or inclusion, and the verb is transitive, taking a direct object.

The first meaning refers to adding or inserting something into a mixture, substance, or process. In cooking and food preparation this is standard usage: for example, “tillsätt mjölk,” or “tillsätt salt efter smak.” The term is also used in chemistry, medicine, and other procedures to indicate introducing an ingredient or component.

The second meaning concerns appointing or assigning someone to a role, task, or position, or filling a vacancy. This is common in government, business, and organizational settings: for example, “Regeringen tillsätter en ny utredare,” or “En ny styrelseledamot tillsattes.” The act itself is often described with nouns such as tillsättning (the appointment) and is frequently conveyed in passive form, as in “har tillsatts” or “var tillsatt.”

Usage notes and related terms: tillsätta is often contrasted with tillägga eller lägga till in contexts of adding information rather than people or ingredients. Tillägga and lägga till can be used for adding information or items in writing or speech, while tillsätta more explicitly covers adding to a physical mix or appointing someone. Synonyms in the sense of appointment include utse and utnämna, although these can carry different nuances depending on formality and scope.

Overall, tillsätta covers both practical adding actions and formal appointment actions, with context usually clarifying which sense is intended.