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B2 verb 9 min read

avtala

Examples avtala in 30 Seconds
Explanation avtala in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'avtala' yourself, as it is quite formal. However, you might see it on a website or in a simple document. It just means 'to agree' or 'to make a plan'. If you see 'Vi har avtalat en tid', it means 'We have picked a time'. You can use simpler words like 'bestämma' (decide) instead. Think of it as a formal way of saying 'yes' to a plan with someone else.
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At A2, you start to see 'avtala' in contexts like making an appointment at a doctor's office or a bank. You might see the phrase 'avtalad tid', which means 'the time we agreed on'. It is important to recognize that this is more formal than just 'bestämd tid'. You should understand that 'avtala' involves two people making a deal. You might use it in a simple sentence like 'Vi avtalar om mötet' (We agree on the meeting).
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At B1, you should be able to distinguish between 'avtala' and 'bestämma'. You understand that 'avtala' is for formal situations like work contracts, renting an apartment, or business deals. You know that it is often followed by 'om'. For example: 'De avtalade om en högre lön.' You are also starting to recognize the noun 'avtal' (contract/agreement) and how 'avtala' is the action of making that contract. You can use it correctly in professional emails.
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At B2, you are expected to use 'avtala' correctly in formal writing and speech. You understand nuances like 'avtala bort' (to contract out of something) and can use the verb in various tenses and passive forms. You know that 'avtala' implies a legal or semi-legal commitment. You can participate in a negotiation and say 'Kan vi avtala om dessa villkor?' (Can we agree on these terms?). You also know that it shouldn't be used for casual opinions.
At C1, your use of 'avtala' is precise and natural. You use it in complex legal or academic discussions. You understand the subtle differences between 'avtala', 'stipulera', 'enas', and 'sluta ett avtal'. You can read a complex contract and identify exactly what has been 'avtalat'. You are comfortable using it in the passive voice ('det avtalades att...') to sound more objective in reports or formal letters. You also know the historical and etymological weight of the word.
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At C2, you have a complete mastery of 'avtala'. You can use it rhetorically or in high-level legal drafting. You understand its role in Swedish 'avtalsrätt' (contract law) perfectly. You can navigate the most formal environments, such as diplomatic negotiations or high-stakes corporate law, using the word and its derivatives with absolute precision. You can also identify when the word is being used ironically in literature or high-level journalism to critique a 'backroom deal'.
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Examples

avtala in 30 Seconds

  • Avtala is a formal Swedish verb meaning to reach a binding agreement, often used in business, law, and official scheduling contexts.
  • It is a group 1 verb (avtala, avtalar, avtalade, avtalat) and is frequently paired with the preposition 'om' to indicate the topic.
  • Unlike 'bestämma' (casual decide) or 'hålla med' (agree with opinion), 'avtala' implies a mutual commitment or a formal contract.
  • Commonly heard in workplace negotiations, legal documents, and formal appointments, it is essential for professional Swedish communication.

The Swedish verb avtala is a cornerstone of formal communication, specifically used when two or more parties reach a mutual, often binding, agreement. While English speakers might simply say 'to agree' or 'to arrange,' avtala carries a heavier weight, suggesting that the terms have been discussed, negotiated, and finalized in a way that creates an obligation. It is the verbal form of the noun avtal (agreement or contract). In a professional context, if you avtalar something, you are not just making a casual plan; you are setting a formal parameter for a relationship, transaction, or project.

Legal Context
In legal Swedish, this verb is used to describe the act of entering into a contract or stipulating specific clauses within a legal document. It implies a level of permanence and enforceability.
Business Context
Companies use this word when negotiating prices, delivery dates, or service level agreements. It signifies that the negotiation phase has concluded and the implementation phase has begun.

Vi måste avtala om detaljerna i kontraktet innan vi skriver under.

The nuance of avtala lies in its intentionality. Unlike 'råka komma överens' (happening to agree), avtala is a deliberate action. It is often followed by the preposition om (about) or a subordinate clause starting with att (that). For example, 'Vi har avtalat att mötas klockan nio' (We have agreed to meet at nine). While this can be used for meetings, it sounds significantly more formal than the common word 'bestämma' (to decide/arrange).

Parterna har avtalat bort rätten till skadestånd.

The phrase avtala bort is a common legal expression meaning to 'contract out of' or 'waive' a right through an agreement. This highlights the power of the verb; it doesn't just create new rules, it can also remove existing legal defaults. Understanding this verb is essential for anyone navigating Swedish bureaucracy, employment, or commerce.

Social Register
Using 'avtala' in a very casual setting, like with close friends, might sound slightly stiff or humorous, as if you are treating a coffee date like a business merger.

Har ni avtalat om någon tid för leveransen?

Using avtala correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical patterns and its relationship with prepositions. As a weak verb (group 1), it follows a predictable conjugation: avtala, avtalar, avtalade, avtalat. However, the complexity arises in how it links to the object of the agreement.

Pattern 1: Avtala om [Någonting]
This is the most common construction when discussing the subject matter of the agreement. 'Vi avtalade om priset' (We agreed on the price).
Pattern 2: Avtala att [Sats]
Used when the agreement involves an action or a future state. 'De avtalade att arbetet skulle vara klart på fredag' (They agreed that the work should be finished on Friday).

Det är viktigt att vi avtalar skriftligt för att undvika framtida missförstånd.

One of the most important aspects of using avtala is knowing when not to use it. If you are just 'agreeing with someone's opinion,' you should use hålla med. If you are 'reaching a consensus' after a long discussion, komma överens is often more natural. Avtala is reserved for the act of formalizing that consensus into a specific arrangement.

Vi har avtalat en tid för intervjun.

In the sentence above, notice that avtala can sometimes take a direct object (en tid) without a preposition, especially when referring to scheduling. However, adding 'om' is never wrong and often clarifies that a discussion took place. The verb is also frequently found in the past participle form avtalad, acting as an adjective: 'den avtalade tiden' (the agreed-upon time).

Pattern 3: Avtala bort
A phrasal verb meaning to exclude something from a contract or to waive a right. 'Man kan inte avtala bort sin lagstadgade semester' (One cannot contract away one's statutory vacation).

Kan vi avtala om en lägre ränta?

You will encounter avtala in various professional and administrative environments across Sweden. It is a 'high-frequency' word in the sense that it appears in almost every formal agreement, but 'low-frequency' in casual street slang. If you are watching a Swedish news program like Rapport or Aktuellt, you will hear it during segments on labor market negotiations (avtalsrörelsen), where unions and employers avtalar about wage increases.

In the Workplace
Your boss might say: 'Vi behöver avtala om dina nya arbetsuppgifter.' This signals a formal shift in your role that will likely be documented.
In Real Estate
When buying a house or renting an apartment, the broker will use 'avtala' to describe the setting of terms for the move-in date or the inclusion of appliances.

Enligt vad vi har avtalat ska betalningen ske senast den sista i månaden.

The word is also prevalent in Swedish literature and drama when characters are making pacts or deals. In a crime drama like Bron (The Bridge), a detective might talk about what was avtalat between two suspects. It adds a layer of seriousness to the conversation. Furthermore, in the digital age, you see this word in 'Terms and Conditions' pages, where clicking 'I agree' is the digital equivalent of att avtala.

De avtalade om en tystnadsplikt som gäller i fem år.

Finally, in the context of the Swedish welfare state, avtala is used in discussions about municipal services. For instance, a municipality might avtala with a private company to provide elder care. In all these cases, the word reinforces the idea of a structured, legally-recognized agreement between distinct entities.

Public Sector
Government agencies often 'avtalar' with citizens regarding payment plans for taxes or debts, ensuring both sides understand the commitment.

For English speakers, the most common mistake is using avtala where hålla med (agree with an opinion) or bestämma (decide/arrange) would be more appropriate. Because 'agree' covers so many different meanings in English, it is easy to over-use avtala in Swedish, making you sound like a lawyer at a birthday party.

Mistake 1: Opinion vs. Agreement
Incorrect: 'Jag avtalar med dig att filmen var bra.' (I agree with you that the movie was good). Correct: 'Jag håller med dig...'
Mistake 2: Casual Plans
Incorrect: 'Vi avtalade att gå på bio ikväll.' (Too formal for friends). Correct: 'Vi bestämde att gå på bio ikväll.'

Fel: Vi avtalade att glass är gott. Rätt: Vi är överens om att glass är gott.

Another frequent error involves prepositions. Many learners forget to use om when it is needed, or they use med (with) incorrectly. While you can 'avtala med någon' (agree with someone), the thing you are agreeing on usually needs 'om'. If you say 'Vi avtalade priset,' it's acceptable, but 'Vi avtalade om priset' is more standard in formal Swedish.

Finally, be careful with avtala bort. Some learners use it to mean 'cancel an agreement,' but it actually means to 'exclude something' or 'waive a right' within a larger agreement. If you want to cancel, use säga upp or avbryta.

Man kan inte avtala bort mänskliga rättigheter.

Confusion with 'Enas'
'Enas' focuses on the process of becoming united in opinion, while 'avtala' focuses on the final act of making the arrangement. Don't swap them if you want to emphasize the contract itself.

Swedish has several verbs that overlap with avtala, and choosing the right one depends entirely on the level of formality and the nature of the 'agreement'. Understanding these nuances will move your Swedish from B1 to B2 and beyond.

Komma överens
This is the most versatile alternative. It means 'to come to an agreement' or 'to get along'. It is less formal than 'avtala' and focuses on the consensus reached. Example: 'Vi kom överens om att dela på notan' (We agreed to split the bill).
Bestämma
This means 'to decide' or 'to arrange'. Use this for everyday plans. Example: 'Vi bestämde att ses kl 8' (We decided to meet at 8).

Det är bättre att komma överens än att bråka, men ibland måste man avtala om detaljerna skriftligt.

For more legalistic or formal business contexts, you might use stipulera (to stipulate) or kontrahera (to contract). Stipulera is used when one party sets a specific condition, whereas avtala is mutual. Sluta ett avtal is a common phrase that means 'to conclude an agreement', essentially the same as avtala but using the noun form.

De har enats om en kompromiss, vilket nu ska avtalas formellt.

In summary, use avtala when you want to sound professional, legal, or precise about a mutual commitment. Use bestämma for coffee with friends, and hålla med when you simply think your friend has a good point. Mastering these distinctions is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Upprätta
Often used with 'avtal' (upprätta ett avtal) to mean 'to draw up' or 'to establish' a contract. It focuses on the creation of the document itself.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /²avˌtɑːla/
US /²ɑvˌtɑlɑ/
The primary stress is on the first syllable 'av', and there is a secondary stress on 'ta'. It follows the typical Swedish Pitch Accent 2 (grav accent).
Rhymes With
betala tala måla skala smala svala ovala verbala
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'v' as an 'f'.
  • Making the 'a' in 'tala' too short.
  • Stress on the last syllable.
  • Confusing the pitch accent with a flat monotone.
  • Pronouncing it like the English word 'available'.
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Examples by Level

1

Vi avtalar en tid.

We agree on a time.

Simple present tense.

2

De avtalar om priset.

They agree on the price.

Uses the preposition 'om'.

3

Kan vi avtala nu?

Can we agree now?

Question form with 'kan'.

4

Vi har avtalat allt.

We have agreed on everything.

Present perfect tense.

5

Avtala en dag med mig.

Agree on a day with me.

Imperative form.

6

Jag vill avtala om det.

I want to agree on that.

Infinitive after 'vill'.

7

De avtalar att ses.

They agree to meet.

Followed by a subordinate clause.

8

Är det avtalat?

Is it agreed?

Passive participle used as an adjective.

1

Vi avtalade om mötet igår.

We agreed on the meeting yesterday.

Past tense 'avtalade'.

2

Hon vill avtala om en ny tid.

She wants to agree on a new time.

Infinitive phrase.

3

Har ni avtalat om hyran?

Have you agreed on the rent?

Present perfect question.

4

De avtalar att börja jobba imorgon.

They agree to start working tomorrow.

Subordinate clause with 'att'.

5

Vi måste avtala om detaljerna.

We must agree on the details.

Modal verb 'måste'.

6

Det var inte det vi avtalade.

That was not what we agreed.

Relative clause.

7

Kom ihåg vad vi har avtalat.

Remember what we have agreed.

Imperative and present perfect.

8

Vi avtalar om en paus nu.

We are agreeing on a break now.

Present tense indicating immediate action.

1

Företagen har avtalat om ett samarbete.

The companies have agreed on a collaboration.

Business context, present perfect.

2

Vi behöver avtala om leveransvillkoren.

We need to agree on the delivery terms.

Compound noun 'leveransvillkoren'.

3

Det är bäst att avtala skriftligt.

It is best to agree in writing.

Adverbial 'skriftligt'.

4

De avtalade att dela på vinsten.

They agreed to share the profit.

Subordinate clause 'att dela...'

5

Vad har ni avtalat gällande lönen?

What have you agreed regarding the salary?

Formal preposition 'gällande'.

6

Vi har avtalat bort den rätten.

We have contracted away that right.

Phrasal verb 'avtala bort'.

7

De avtalade om en tystnadsplikt.

They agreed on a non-disclosure agreement.

Noun 'tystnadsplikt'.

8

Har parterna avtalat om något än?

Have the parties agreed on anything yet?

Formal term 'parterna'.

1

I kontraktet avtalades det om en uppsägningstid på tre månader.

In the contract, a notice period of three months was agreed upon.

Passive voice 'avtalades'.

2

Det är svårt att avtala om sådana komplexa frågor.

It is difficult to agree on such complex issues.

Adjective 'komplexa'.

3

Vi har avtalat att vi ska ha regelbundna möten.

We have agreed that we shall have regular meetings.

Future intent with 'ska'.

4

Parterna kan avtala om undantag från regeln.

The parties can agree on exceptions to the rule.

Formal legal context.

5

De har avtalat om en räntefri avbetalningsplan.

They have agreed on an interest-free installment plan.

Compound noun 'avbetalningsplan'.

6

Är det möjligt att avtala bort vissa villkor?

Is it possible to contract out of certain conditions?

Infinitive phrase with 'möjligt'.

7

Vi har avtalat om en gemensam strategi.

We have agreed on a joint strategy.

Abstract noun 'strategi'.

8

Enligt det avtalade priset blir summan lägre.

According to the agreed price, the total will be lower.

Past participle as an adjective 'avtalade'.

1

Det åligger parterna att avtala om hur tvister ska lösas.

It is incumbent upon the parties to agree on how disputes shall be resolved.

Formal verb 'åligger'.

2

Man bör avtala om skadeståndsnivåer i förväg.

One should agree on compensation levels in advance.

Conditional 'bör'.

3

Kollektivavtalet avtalar om minimilöner för hela branschen.

The collective agreement stipulates minimum wages for the entire industry.

Specific term 'kollektivavtalet'.

4

Det har avtalats att sekretess ska råda under hela processen.

It has been agreed that confidentiality shall prevail during the entire process.

Passive present perfect with formal 'råda'.

5

Genom att avtala bort rätten till revision sparar de tid.

By contracting away the right to audit, they save time.

Gerund-like construction 'genom att avtala'.

6

De avtalade om en successiv övergång till den nya modellen.

They agreed on a gradual transition to the new model.

Advanced vocabulary 'successiv'.

7

Frågan om äganderätt måste avtalas separat.

The issue of ownership rights must be agreed upon separately.

Passive infinitive.

8

Härmed avtalas följande villkor mellan undertecknade parter.

Hereby, the following terms are agreed upon between the undersigned parties.

Legal formal style.

1

Trots omfattande förhandlingar lyckades de inte avtala om en vapenvila.

Despite extensive negotiations, they did not succeed in agreeing on a ceasefire.

High-level political context.

2

Rättspraxis visar att man inte kan avtala bort tvingande lagstiftning.

Case law shows that one cannot contract away mandatory legislation.

Legal terminology 'rättspraxis', 'tvingande'.

3

Det avtalade utfallet var en direkt konsekvens av de tidigare eftergifterna.

The agreed outcome was a direct consequence of the previous concessions.

Complex causal structure.

4

De har avtalat om en exklusivitetsklausul som sträcker sig över tio år.

They have agreed on an exclusivity clause that spans over ten years.

Specific legal term 'exklusivitetsklausul'.

5

Att avtala om dylika ting kräver en djupgående juridisk expertis.

To agree on such things requires profound legal expertise.

Archaic/formal word 'dylika'.

6

Inom ramen för samarbetet avtalades det om ett gemensamt forskningscenter.

Within the framework of the collaboration, it was agreed to establish a joint research center.

Idiomatic 'inom ramen för'.

7

Det vore oklokt att inte avtala om rätten till skiljedom.

It would be unwise not to agree on the right to arbitration.

Conditional 'vore' and 'skiljedom'.

8

De avtalade förpliktelserna måste respekteras oavsett omständigheterna.

The agreed obligations must be respected regardless of the circumstances.

Formal noun 'förpliktelserna'.

Common Collocations

avtala om priset
avtala en tid
avtala bort
skriftligt avtala
avtala i förväg
avtala om samarbete
som tidigare avtalats
avtala om detaljer
avtala om lön
avtala om villkor

Common Phrases

Avtalat!

— Agreed! / It's a deal!

Ska vi ses kl 5? - Avtalat!

Enligt avtalat

— As agreed / According to the agreement.

Leveransen sker enligt avtalat.

Avtala bort sig

— To lose something by agreeing to bad terms (metaphorical).

Se till att du inte avtalar bort dig helt i förhandlingen.

Fast avtalat

— Firmly agreed upon.

Det är fast avtalat att vi ska börja nu.

Muntligt avtalat

— Verbally agreed.

Även om det bara är muntligt avtalat så gäller det.

Avtala om möte

— To arrange a meeting formally.

Jag ringer för att avtala om ett möte.

Avtala om tidpunkt

— To agree on a specific point in time.

Vi måste avtala om en tidpunkt för flytten.

Avtala om kompensation

— To agree on compensation.

De avtalade om en skälig kompensation.

Avtala om tystnad

— To agree on silence/confidentiality.

De har avtalat om tystnad i frågan.

Avtala om ändringar

— To agree on changes.

Vi kan avtala om ändringar senare.

Idioms & Expressions

"Avtala med ödet"

— To try to bargain with fate (rare/poetic).

Han försökte avtala med ödet för att få mer tid.

Literary
"Gjort är gjort och avtalat är avtalat"

— What's done is done and what's agreed is agreed (emphasizing finality).

Vi kan inte ändra oss nu, avtalat är avtalat.

Neutral
"Avtala bort sin själ"

— To sell one's soul (figuratively, by making a bad deal).

Han avtalade nästan bort sin själ till företaget.

Informal/Metaphorical
"Avtala under bordet"

— To make a secret, perhaps illegal, deal.

De misstänks ha avtalat under bordet.

Informal
"Skriva i sten vad som avtalats"

— To make an agreement final and unchangeable.

Vi vill skriva i sten vad som har avtalats.

Idiomatic
"Avtala om guld och gröna skogar"

— To agree on or promise things that are too good to be true.

De avtalade om guld och gröna skogar, men inget hände.

Informal
"Avtala bort framtiden"

— To make a deal that ruins future prospects.

De unga får inte avtala bort sin framtid.

Rhetorical
"Avtala bort ansvaret"

— To contractually shift responsibility to someone else.

Företaget försökte avtala bort allt ansvar.

Formal
"Avtala sig till framgång"

— To achieve success through clever negotiating and agreements.

Hon lyckades avtala sig till en topposition.

Neutral
"Ett avtalat spel"

— A rigged game or a pre-arranged outcome (similar to 'uppgjort spel').

Hela debatten kändes som ett avtalat spel.

Informal

Word Family

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