undertryckas

Undertryckas is a Swedish verb form used to describe that someone or something is subjected to oppression or suppression by an outside agent. It is the present passive form of the verb undertrycka, which means to suppress, oppress, or press down. The term covers political, social, and civil dimensions and can also be used metaphorically to describe constraints on rights, freedoms, or markets.

The form is typically used to indicate ongoing or general conditions of oppression. The agent is often unspecified or introduced with av (by). Examples include: "Yttrandefriheten undertrycks av myndigheterna" and "Fackföreningar undertrycks i vissa regimer." The phrase is common in journalism, history, and academic writing, as well as in literary contexts.

Etymology: undertryckas is built from under- (under, beneath) and trycka (to press). The combination conveys pressing down on someone’s rights or autonomy.

Grammatical notes: In Swedish, this is a passive construction. The subject is the person or group experiencing oppression, and the agent, if present, is expressed with av. The related active form is undertrycka; close alternatives include förtrycka and repressa.

See also: undertrycka, förtrycka, repressa; related topics include yttrandefrihet, mänskliga rättigheter, censur.

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