återbilda

Återbilda is a Swedish verb meaning to form again, recreate, or reconstruct something that has been altered, damaged, or dissolved. It is used when something is brought back to a previous form or when a new instance of a form is produced through reformation or reassembly.

Etymology and grammar: the word combines åter meaning “again” with bilda meaning “to form.” It is a regular -a verb in Swedish, with typical conjugations such as återbildar in the present tense, återbildade in the past, and återbildat as the supine. The past participle is commonly återbildad when used as an adjective.

Usage and contexts: återbilda appears in scientific, technical, and cultural contexts. In science and engineering, it describes the reformation of materials, compounds, or structures after alteration or decomposition. In geology and landscapes, it can refer to the re-formation of landforms following erosion or disturbance. In restoration and cultural heritage, it denotes restoring an artwork, building, or sculpture to its original appearance. In linguistics or paleography, it may describe reconstructing an earlier form or text. In everyday language, one might say återbilda en bild or återbilda en modell to mean recreating an image or model. The term often implies a return to or re-creation of a recognizable original state rather than mere repair.

Related terms and nuances: återuppbygga (to rebuild) is closely related but typically emphasizes construction anew from components. Återbilda conveys re-creation that aligns with an original form, with flexibility across disciplines.