uttrycka

Uttrycka is a Swedish verb meaning to express or to articulate thoughts, feelings, or information. It is commonly used in both spoken and written language to convey what someone thinks, feels, or intends to communicate.

Etymology and forms: Uttrycka derives from the prefix ut- (outward) combined with trycka (to press), historically implying pressing outward to convey something. The verb forms include present tense uttrycker, past tense uttryckte, and supine uttryckt. The perfect and pluperfect are formed with har uttryckt and hade uttryckt, respectively. The present participle is uttryckande. A related noun is uttryck, meaning expression or phrase.

Usage and meaning: In its transitive sense, uttrycka governs an object that is what is being expressed, as in att uttrycka en åsikt (to express an opinion) or att uttrycka tacksamhet (to express gratitude). It is also used with feelings, intentions, or information. Intransitively, one can use the reflexive form uttrycka sig to indicate self-expression or to articulate oneself, as in Hon uttryckte sig tydligt (She expressed herself clearly). Impersonal or passive constructions such as Det uttrycks ofta i konversation (It is often expressed in conversation) are possible in formal or journalistic Swedish.

Relation to uttryck: Uttrycka is closely related to the noun uttryck, which refers to an expression, phrase, or idiom. Expressions or idiomatic phrases are common when discussing how language conveys meaning, and uttryckssätt (manner of expression) is another related term.

See also: Uttryck, uttrycka sig, uttryckssätt.

Note: The term occupies formal to general usage, with nuance differences depending on context and register.