Övertydligt

Övertydligt is an adjective in Swedish meaning “overly obvious” or “too explicit.” It is used to describe something that states the obvious or presents an argument in a blunt, unnuanced way. The word carries a negative or critical nuance, implying that the communication uses more clarity than necessary or is patronizing in its directness. Övertydligt can apply to explanations, arguments, rhetoric, or visuals.

Etymology: the form is built from the prefix över- meaning “over” or “too much” and tydlig meaning “clear” or “evident.” The compound is productive in Swedish and occurs across registers, from media criticism to everyday speech. Grammatically it functions as an adjective and can modify a noun (en övertydlig förklaring) or appear predicatively (förklaringen var övertydlig).

Usage: analysts and commentators often use the term to flag lack of nuance, oversimplification, or an attempt to signal a point by stating the obvious. It can appear in reviews of journalism, political speeches, or advertising, and may carry both neutral descriptive and ironical connotations depending on tone. For example: “Lösningen som presenterades var övertydligt enkel.” In some contexts it signals a jokey or hyperbolic critique, while in others it serves as a blunt descriptive label.