visst

Visst is a common adverb in Swedish, and also appears in Norwegian, used to express affirmation, certainty, or a sense of apparentness. In Swedish it serves both as a standalone interjection meaning “sure” or “indeed” and as a modal particle that colors a clause without adding new content. The exact strength of its meaning depends on context and intonation, ranging from strong agreement to cautious emphasis.

In Swedish usage, visst can appear at the beginning of a sentence to express agreement or permission: Visst kan jag komma. It can also reinforce a statement: Det är visst sant. As a modal particle, it often softens or strengthens a claim without changing its propositional content, for example Det vore visst bättre att vänta or Det är visst en möjlighet. In informal speech, standalone forms like Visst! function as quick affirmations equivalent to “Sure!” or “You bet.”

In Norwegian Bokmål, visst shares a similar range of meanings and is frequently used to suggest apparentness: Det er visst et problem (It seems there is a problem). In both languages, its nuance can shift with context, sometimes implying evidence, likelihood, or simply polite assent. Translations into English include certainly, indeed, and apparently, though the exact sense depends on usage.

Etymology is linked to older forms meaning “certain” or “clear,” and the modern adverbial form visst has become a standard part of the Scandinavian repertoire of modal particles. See also modal particles, Swedish grammar, and Norwegian syntax.