övning

Övning is a Swedish noun meaning exercise, drill, or practice. It derives from the verb öva, to practice or train, itself from Old Norse æfa. The term covers activities aimed at developing ability, fitness, or familiarity with a task, and it is used across several domains with subtle distinctions.

In physical education and sports, an övning is a specific movement or sequence designed to improve technique, strength, flexibility, or coordination. Trainers talk about övningar such as stretching övningar, styrkeövningar, or sport-specific övningar. A session may be described as an övningspass or simply as training.

In education and training, övningar refer to practice tasks or problem sets used to reinforce learning. Textbook chapters often end with övningar, and instructors assign övningar to be completed outside class. The plural form is övningar; the compound övningsuppgift means an exercise problem.

In music, acting, and other performing arts, övning denotes regular practice sessions that build skill and muscle memory. Musicians and performers typically say they need to öva rather than perform an "övning" per se, but an övning can refer to a rehearsed drill within a broader practice routine. In the military, övning is the term for a drill or training exercise, sometimes describing large-scale exercises.

Overall, övning designates the process of repeated, purposeful practice intended to improve performance, with the appropriate meaning shaped by context.