Önskvärd

Önskvärd is a Swedish adjective meaning desirable or welcome. It describes something that is wanted, hoped for, or considered advantageous. The term is commonly used in formal writing—such as policy documents, project planning, and evaluation—as well as in everyday speech.

Etymology: It is formed from önska, to wish, and värd, worth or worthy. The compound conveys the sense that something is worthy of being wished for.

Usage and grammar: The adjective agrees with the noun it modifies: önskvärd for common-gender nouns (en-ord) and önskvärt for neuter nouns (ett-ord). In predicative position after a linking verb, you typically use the form that corresponds to the subject: en förändring är önskvärd; ett resultat är önskvärt. Common collocations include önskvärd effekt, önskvärda egenskaper, och en önskvärd lösning.

Contexts and negation: Önskvärd is widely used in policy, planning, design, and evaluation to denote outcomes or attributes that would be favorable. Its negation is oönskad or oönskvärd, indicating something undesirable or inappropriate in a given context.

See also: The word relates to the verb önska (to wish) and to related adjectives such as oönskad (undesirable) and önskad (desired). In Swedish text, önskvärd often helps frame goals and recommendations as favorable or recommended targets.