befordra
promote
Definition & meaning
Befordra is a Swedish verb with two main meanings:
-
To promote or advance someone to a higher position, rank, or responsibility.
Example: “She was promoted to manager.” -
To forward, dispatch, or transport something, such as a letter, parcel, or message.
Example: “The parcel was forwarded to the recipient.”
The exact meaning depends on what is being befordrad: a person is usually promoted, while an item or message is usually forwarded or dispatched.
Grammar & Word origin
Befordra is a regular Swedish verb in group 1:
The word came into Swedish from German befördern, which can mean “promote” or “transport.” It is not normally understood as a combination of Swedish be- and fordra; the latter means “demand” or “require” and is unrelated in modern usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms vary according to meaning:
- For promoting someone: upphöja means to elevate someone, often formally; avancera emphasizes moving up in a career or rank.
- For forwarding or dispatching something: vidarebefordra specifically means to pass something onward; skicka is the more general “send.”
Possible antonyms are also context-dependent:
- Degradera means to demote someone, the opposite of promoting them.
- Stoppa means to stop something from being sent onward; it is not a direct antonym in every context.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Hon blev äntligen befordrad till avdelningschef.verb
She was finally promoted to department manager.
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