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B2 verb 9 min read

redovisa

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips redovisa in 30 Seconds

Explanation redovisa in your Level:

At the A1 level, you likely won't use 'redovisa' yourself, but you might see it in simple school contexts. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'show' or 'tell' about your homework. If a teacher says 'Redovisa!', they want to see what you have done. You can associate it with 'visa' (to show) which you learn early on. At this stage, focus on the idea that it means 'to show work.' You might see it in a simple sentence like 'Jag ska redovisa min läxa' (I will show/present my homework). It is a long word, but don't be intimidated; it just means showing what you've prepared. It is most common in school settings for beginners.

At A2, you start to understand that 'redovisa' is used for more than just showing homework; it's about giving a small report. You might use it in a work context if you have a simple task to report on. For example, 'Jag redovisar mina timmar varje vecka' (I report my hours every week). You are learning to distinguish it from 'berätta' (to tell). Remember: 'berätta' is for stories, 'redovisa' is for facts or work. You will encounter it more frequently in vocational Swedish or in classroom instructions. It is a Group 1 verb, so it conjugates regularly: redovisar, redovisade, redovisat.

By B1, you should be able to use 'redovisa' in professional and academic settings. You understand its connection to 'redovisning' (accounting/presentation). You can use it to describe presenting a project or explaining a simple budget. You are beginning to see it in the news, especially regarding company results or government announcements. You should also be comfortable with the preposition 'för' (redovisa för någon). At this level, you recognize that 'redovisa' implies a certain level of detail and responsibility. You might say, 'Vi måste redovisa resultaten från undersökningen' (We must report the results from the survey).

At B2, you are expected to use 'redovisa' fluently in its various nuances. You understand that it is the standard term for financial reporting (redovisa moms, redovisa vinst). You can use it in academic writing to describe how you will present your methodology or findings. You also understand the passive form 'redovisas' which is common in formal texts. You can distinguish 'redovisa' from 'redogöra' (to give an account/explain) and 'rapportera' (to report). You are aware of the cultural importance of 'redovisning' in Swedish society as a tool for transparency and trust. You can handle complex sentences like 'Det är av yttersta vikt att alla medel redovisas öppet' (It is of utmost importance that all funds are accounted for openly).

At C1, you use 'redovisa' with precision and stylistic awareness. You understand its legal and administrative weight. You can use it in high-level debates about accountability and transparency. You are familiar with compound words like 'redovisningsskyldighet' (duty to account/report) and 'årsredovisning' (annual report). You can use the verb in abstract contexts, such as 'redovisa sina bevekelsegrunder' (account for one's motives). You understand the subtle differences between 'redovisa' and 'explicera' or 'klargöra'. Your usage is natural in both formal speeches and complex written reports. You recognize when the word is being used defensively or formally to set a specific tone.

At the C2 level, 'redovisa' is a tool you use with total mastery. You understand its historical roots and how it fits into the broader landscape of Swedish administrative law and corporate governance. You can analyze the nuances of how 'redovisa' is used in different historical periods or specific professional niches (e.g., specialized accounting or forensic investigations). You can use it metaphorically or in highly sophisticated rhetorical structures. You are also aware of how the word interacts with other high-level concepts like 'insyn' (transparency/insight) and 'ansvarsutkrävande' (accountability). You can effortlessly switch between 'redovisa' and its most technical synonyms depending on the audience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

redovisa in 30 Seconds

Redovisa is a formal Swedish verb meaning to 'account for' or 'report' facts, data, or money.
It is commonly used in business (reporting taxes), school (presenting projects), and law (accounting for actions).
It is a Group 1 verb (redovisar, redovisade, redovisat) and is more formal than 'berätta' (to tell).
The word emphasizes transparency and the systematic presentation of information to an authority or audience.

The Swedish verb redovisa is a cornerstone of professional, academic, and administrative Swedish. At its core, it means to 'account for' or 'report' something in a structured and often formal manner. While an English speaker might use 'present,' 'report,' or 'explain' depending on the situation, redovisa carries a specific connotation of responsibility and transparency. It is not just about telling a story; it is about providing a detailed account that can be verified or audited.

Financial Context: In the world of business and finance, redovisa is the standard term for reporting income, expenses, or taxes. If you are an entrepreneur in Sweden, you must redovisa moms (report VAT) to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Here, the word implies a legal obligation to show exactly where money has gone and where it came from.
Academic and Educational Context: Students from primary school to university frequently encounter this word. When a teacher asks you to redovisa en uppgift, they are asking you to present your findings or show the steps you took to reach a conclusion. It is common in mathematics to be told to 'redovisa dina beräkningar' (show/account for your calculations), meaning you cannot just provide the answer; you must show the work.
General Transparency: Beyond money and school, the word is used whenever someone needs to justify their actions or explain their whereabouts. A politician might need to redovisa sina kontakter (account for their contacts) to ensure there is no conflict of interest. It implies a 'showing of hands' or a 'laying out of facts' for public or official scrutiny.

Företaget måste redovisa alla sina utgifter för det gångna kvartalet för att få bidraget.

Translation: The company must account for all its expenses for the past quarter to receive the grant.

The word is comprised of two parts: redo (ready) and visa (show). Etymologically, it suggests making something 'ready to be seen.' This is a helpful way to remember the meaning: you are preparing information so that someone else can inspect it. It is more formal than berätta (tell) and more specific than visa (show).

Kan du redovisa hur du kom fram till det här resultatet?

Translation: Can you account for how you arrived at this result?

When using redovisa, you are often dealing with data, facts, or logical steps. It is rarely used for emotional storytelling or casual conversation unless you are being intentionally formal or perhaps a bit defensive (e.g., 'Jag behöver inte redovisa min fritid för dig!' - I don't need to account for my free time to you!).

Vi ska redovisa vårt grupparbete på måndag morgon.

Translation: We are going to present our group project on Monday morning.

In summary, use redovisa when the context involves reporting, accounting, presenting data, or justifying a process. It is a word of clarity and accountability.

Using redovisa correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a weak verb (Group 1). It follows the standard pattern: redovisar (present), redovisade (past), redovisat (supine). Because it is a transitive verb, it almost always takes a direct object—the thing being accounted for.

Reporting Information: When the object is information or a report, redovisa functions like 'to present'.
Example: 'Hon redovisade statistiken för styrelsen.' (She presented the statistics to the board.)
Accounting for Finances: When the object is money or tax-related, it means 'to declare' or 'to account for'.
Example: 'Du måste redovisa alla inkomster i din deklaration.' (You must declare all income in your tax return.)
Explaining a Process: In logic or science, it means to show the underlying steps.
Example: 'Forskarna redovisade sin metod i artikeln.' (The researchers accounted for their method in the article.)

Det är viktigt att redovisa källorna i en akademisk text.

Translation: It is important to cite/account for the sources in an academic text.

One nuance to watch for is the difference between redovisa and berätta. You berättar a story about your vacation, but you redovisar your travel expenses to your boss. The former is narrative and subjective; the latter is factual and objective. If you use redovisa in a casual context, you might sound like you are being interrogated or performing an official duty.

Han vägrade att redovisa var han hade varit under kvällen.

Translation: He refused to account for where he had been during the evening.

In passive constructions, redovisas is very common in reports: 'Resultaten redovisas i tabell 1.' (The results are presented/reported in Table 1). This is a hallmark of formal Swedish writing style.

Alla transaktioner måste redovisas korrekt i bokföringen.

Translation: All transactions must be accounted for correctly in the bookkeeping.

If you live or work in Sweden, you will hear redovisa in several specific environments. It is not a 'street' word, but it is a 'daily life' word for anyone navigating Swedish systems.

At the Office: In weekly meetings, you might hear: 'Vem ska redovisa projektets framsteg idag?' (Who is going to report the project's progress today?). It is the standard way to describe the act of giving a status update or presenting a slide deck.
On the News: News anchors frequently use it when discussing government reports or corporate earnings. 'Företaget redovisar en vinst på 10 miljoner.' (The company reports a profit of 10 million). It sounds professional and authoritative.
In Schools and Universities: Students 'redovisar' their essays, their science experiments, and their group work. If you hear a student say, 'Jag är nervös för min redovisning,' they are talking about their presentation/report-back session.

Skatteverket kräver att du redovisar din försäljning av kryptovalutor.

Translation: The Tax Agency requires you to report your sale of cryptocurrencies.

You will also see it on forms and official websites. Any time there is a box for 'Expenses' or 'Results,' the instructions will likely include the verb redovisa. It is the language of the 'omvårdnadssamhälle' (the caring state/bureaucracy) where everything must be documented and accounted for.

Polisen bad honom redovisa sina förehavanden under mordnatten.

Translation: The police asked him to account for his activities during the night of the murder.

In a courtroom or legal setting, redovisa is the verb used for presenting evidence or accounting for actions. It is a word that demands the truth and expects detail.

Because redovisa translates to several English words, learners often use it where other Swedish verbs would be more natural, or they forget its formal weight.

Mistake 1: Using it for 'Telling' stories: Don't say 'Jag ska redovisa vad jag gjorde i helgen' to a friend. This sounds like you are filing a police report about your weekend. Use berätta instead.
Correct: 'Jag ska berätta vad jag gjorde i helgen.'
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Presentera': While they overlap, presentera is often used for introducing people or new ideas ('Jag vill presentera min kollega'). Redovisa is specifically for accounting for work already done or data collected. You presenterar a new concept, but you redovisar the results of a test.
Mistake 3: Preposition errors: Learners sometimes use 'till' when they should use 'för'. You redovisa för someone (the audience/recipient).
Incorrect: 'Redovisa till klassen.'
Correct: 'Redovisa för klassen.'

✗ Han redovisade en rolig historia.
✓ Han berättade en rolig historia.

Note: You don't 'account for' a funny story; you 'tell' it.

Another mistake is forgetting the reflexive form redovisa sig, which is very rare and usually means to identify oneself or present oneself for a specific duty. Most of the time, the verb is used non-reflexively.

Finally, don't confuse redovisa with revidera (to revise/audit). While related to accounting, revidera means to check or change something, while redovisa is the act of presenting the information in the first place.

Swedish has several verbs that touch upon the idea of reporting or presenting. Choosing the right one depends on the level of detail and the context.

Redogöra: Meaning: To give an account of, to describe in detail.
Difference: Redogöra is often used for narratives or explanations of events (e.g., 'redogöra för händelseförloppet' - account for the sequence of events). It is slightly more descriptive and less 'accounting-heavy' than redovisa.
Rapportera: Meaning: To report.
Difference: Rapportera is very close to the English 'report.' It is used for news, police reports, or giving a quick update. Redovisa implies a more thorough 'accounting' of specific items or figures.
Presentera: Meaning: To present.
Difference: Presentera is the broad term for showing something to an audience. It can be a person, a product, or an idea. Redovisa is the specific term for presenting work, results, or financial data.
Uppge: Meaning: To state/declare.
Difference: Uppge is used for specific pieces of information, like a name or an address. 'Han uppgav sitt namn.' You wouldn't 'redovisa' your name unless it was part of a larger accounting process.

Låt oss jämföra orden:
Redovisa: Focus on accountability and data.
Redogöra: Focus on detailed explanation of events.
Rapportera: Focus on the act of conveying news/updates.

In a professional setting, you might use these in tandem: 'Jag ska rapportera om läget och redovisa siffrorna, sedan kan vi redogöra för varför det blev så.' (I will report on the situation and account for the figures, then we can explain why it turned out that way.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The term 'redo' is also found in the English word 'ready', making 'redovisa' a distant linguistic cousin to 'ready-show'. In the Middle Ages, it was specifically used for showing that equipment or troops were ready for inspection.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈreːdʊˌviːsa/

US /ˈreɪduˌvisə/

Primary stress on the first syllable: RE-do-vi-sa.

Rhymes With

visa spisa kvittra (half-rhyme) pris-a fisa (vulgar) nysa lysa hysa

Common Errors

Stressing the second syllable (re-DO-visa) - incorrect.
Pronouncing the 'o' like an open 'o' (as in 'hot') - it should be closed.
Making the 'v' sound like a 'w'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, easy to recognize once learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of Group 1 conjugation and appropriate formal context.

Speaking 4/5

Stress and pronunciation are key; must be used in the right social context.

Listening 3/5

Very common in professional and academic audio/speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

visa redo pengar skola berätta

Learn Next

redogöra bokföring revision deklaration transparens

Advanced

redovisningsskyldighet disaggregera revidera explicera

Grammar to Know

Group 1 Verbs

redovisa (inf), redovisar (pres), redovisade (past), redovisat (supine)

Passive Voice with -s

Resultaten redovisas (The results are reported).

Transitive Verbs

Jag redovisar [objektet].

Prepositional Objects

Redovisa FÖR någon.

Compound Noun Formation

Redovisning + konsulter = Redovisningskonsulter.

Examples by Level

Jag ska redovisa min läxa.

I will present my homework.

Simple present future construction with 'ska'.

Kan du redovisa svaret?

Can you show the answer?

Question with auxiliary verb 'kan'.

Vi redovisar på måndag.

We present on Monday.

Present tense used for future scheduled events.

Hon redovisar sin bild.

She shows her picture.

Standard present tense.

De redovisar i skolan.

They present in school.

Plural subject with present tense.

Jag redovisade igår.

I presented yesterday.

Past tense (Group 1: -ade).

Han vill redovisa nu.

He wants to present now.

Infinitive after 'vill'.

Titta när jag redovisar!

Watch when I present!

Imperative followed by a temporal clause.

Jag redovisar mina timmar på fredag.

I report my hours on Friday.

Present tense for a routine action.

Vi redovisade grupparbetet igår.

We presented the group work yesterday.

Past tense of a Group 1 verb.

Måste jag redovisa allt?

Do I have to account for everything?

Infinitive after 'måste'.

Han redovisar resultatet för chefen.

He reports the result to the boss.

Use of 'för' to indicate the recipient.

Har du redovisat din resa än?

Have you reported your trip yet?

Present perfect tense (har + supine).

De redovisade sina planer för oss.

They presented their plans to us.

Past tense with plural object.

Jag ska redovisa vad jag köpte.

I will account for what I bought.

Future with 'ska' and a subclause.

Vem redovisade först?

Who presented first?

Interrogative pronoun 'vem' as subject.

Företaget redovisar en stor vinst i år.

The company reports a large profit this year.

Formal business context.

Du behöver redovisa dina källor tydligt.

You need to cite your sources clearly.

Adverb 'tydligt' modifying the verb.

Hur ska vi redovisa utgifterna för projektet?

How should we account for the expenses for the project?

Interrogative 'hur' with future auxiliary.

Hon redovisade sina tankar kring förslaget.

She accounted for her thoughts regarding the proposal.

Abstract object (thoughts).

Resultaten kommer att redovisas i nästa rapport.

The results will be reported in the next report.

Passive voice 'redovisas'.

Han har inte redovisat för sin frånvaro.

He has not accounted for his absence.

Present perfect with 'för' meaning 'account for'.

Vi redovisar våra framsteg varje månad.

We report our progress every month.

Iterative action in the present.

Kan du redovisa hur du tänkte här?

Can you explain/account for how you thought here?

Using 'redovisa' to mean 'explain the logic'.

Momsen ska redovisas senast den tolfte varje månad.

VAT must be reported by the twelfth of each month at the latest.

Passive construction with modal 'ska'.

Styrelsen kräver att vd:n redovisar sina kontakter.

The board demands that the CEO accounts for their contacts.

Subordinate clause after 'kräver att'.

I avhandlingen redovisas metoden i ett eget kapitel.

In the thesis, the method is presented in its own chapter.

Formal passive voice in academic writing.

Han redovisade för de ekonomiska konsekvenserna av beslutet.

He accounted for the economic consequences of the decision.

Using 'redovisa för' for consequences.

Det är svårt att redovisa exakt hur mycket tid som lagts ner.

It is difficult to account for exactly how much time has been spent.

Infinitive phrase as subject with 'det' formal subject.

Forskarna redovisar en signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna.

The researchers report a significant difference between the groups.

Scientific reporting context.

Varje krona måste redovisas för att undvika misstankar.

Every crown must be accounted for to avoid suspicion.

Passive voice with 'måste'.

De redovisade sin vision för framtidens stadsplanering.

They presented their vision for future urban planning.

Abstract object 'vision'.

Myndigheten har brustit i att redovisa sina it-kostnader.

The authority has failed to account for its IT costs.

Complex verb phrase 'brustit i att'.

Uppgifterna redovisas i enlighet med gällande redovisningsprinciper.

The data is reported in accordance with current accounting principles.

Legal/Professional jargon 'i enlighet med'.

Det åligger varje medlemsstat att redovisa sina utsläpp.

It is the duty of each member state to report its emissions.

Formal construction 'Det åligger någon att'.

Författaren redovisar en alternativ tolkning av historien.

The author presents an alternative interpretation of history.

Literary/Academic context.

Han redovisade öppet för sina tidigare misslyckanden.

He openly accounted for his previous failures.

Adverb 'öppet' adding nuance of transparency.

Projektet har svårt att redovisa mätbara resultat.

The project is having difficulty reporting measurable results.

Business/Management context.

Samtliga transaktioner redovisas i realtid i systemet.

All transactions are reported in real-time in the system.

Passive voice with 'samtliga' (all).

Utredningen redovisar flera brister i säkerhetsrutinerna.

The investigation reports several flaws in the security routines.

Formal investigative context.

Det vilar ett tungt ansvar på ledningen att redovisa verksamhetens etiska fotavtryck.

A heavy responsibility rests on management to account for the organization's ethical footprint.

High-level metaphorical and moral context.

I propositionen redovisas de bakomliggande motiven till lagändringen.

The bill accounts for the underlying motives for the change in law.

Legal/Legislative terminology.

Att redovisa för det outsagda kräver en subtil analytisk förmåga.

Accounting for the unspoken requires a subtle analytical ability.

Philosophical/Abstract usage.

Resultaten redovisas disaggregerat på kön och ålder för ökad precision.

The results are reported disaggregated by gender and age for increased precision.

Technical/Statistical terminology.

Han tvingades redovisa för sina förehavanden in i minsta detalj.

He was forced to account for his activities down to the smallest detail.

Idiomatic 'in i minsta detalj'.

Kritikerna menar att rapporten undviker att redovisa de mest kontroversiella fynden.

Critics argue that the report avoids accounting for the most controversial findings.

Nuanced political/academic critique.

Bokföringsnämnden har gett ut nya allmänna råd om hur bidrag ska redovisas.

The Accounting Board has issued new general advice on how grants should be accounted for.

Specific institutional context.

Genom att redovisa sin osäkerhet stärker forskaren sin trovärdighet.

By accounting for their uncertainty, the researcher strengthens their credibility.

Epistemological context.

Common Collocations

redovisa moms

redovisa resultat

redovisa utgifter

redovisa källor

redovisa vinst

redovisa förlust

redovisa ett projekt

redovisa sina tankar

redovisa beräkningar

redovisa öppet

Common Phrases

redovisa för någon

— To report or account to a specific person or group.

Jag ska redovisa för chefen.

redovisa för något

— To account for a specific thing or event.

Han kunde inte redovisa för sina handlingar.

skyldig att redovisa

— Legally or morally obligated to report or account for something.

Du är skyldig att redovisa din inkomst.

redovisa i detalj

— To account for something with great specificity.

Planen redovisades i detalj.

redovisa skriftligt

— To provide a written report or account.

Uppgiften ska redovisas skriftligt.

redovisa muntligt

— To provide an oral report or presentation.

Vi fick redovisa muntligt inför gruppen.

redovisa korrekt

— To report something accurately and truthfully.

Det är viktigt att redovisa korrekt.

redovisa enligt lag

— To report according to the requirements of the law.

Företaget redovisar enligt lag.

svårt att redovisa

— When something is hard to track or explain formally.

Vissa kostnader är svåra att redovisa.

redovisa förlusten

— To formally report a financial loss.

De var tvungna att redovisa förlusten tidigt.

Often Confused With

redovisa vs berätta

Berätta is for stories/narratives; redovisa is for data/accountability.

redovisa vs presentera

Presentera is broad (people/ideas); redovisa is specific (work/results).

redovisa vs revidera

Revidera means to audit or change; redovisa means to report.

Idioms & Expressions

"stå till svars"

— Similar to 'redovisa' in a moral sense: to be held accountable.

Han fick stå till svars för sina lögner.

Formal

"lägga korten på bordet"

— To lay one's cards on the table; to be completely transparent.

Nu är det dags att lägga korten på bordet och redovisa allt.

Informal

"göra rätt för sig"

— To do right by someone, often by paying or accounting for what is owed.

Han ville göra rätt för sig och redovisade skulden.

Neutral

"ha rent mjöl i påsen"

— To have 'clean flour in the bag' (to have a clean conscience/nothing to hide).

Han har rent mjöl i påsen och kan redovisa allt.

Idiomatic

"dra sitt strå till stacken"

— To contribute one's share (often part of a collective 'redovisning').

Alla redovisade vad de gjort och drog sitt strå till stacken.

Idiomatic

"syna i sömmarna"

— To examine closely (what someone has 'redovisat').

Skatteverket ska syna hans redovisning i sömmarna.

Idiomatic

"ge besked"

— To give a definite answer or report.

Han lovade att redovisa och ge besked imorgon.

Neutral

"hålla räkning på"

— To keep track of/count (necessary before you can redovisa).

Hon höll räkning på alla timmar för att kunna redovisa dem.

Neutral

"svarta pengar"

— Under-the-table money (money that is NOT 'redovisade').

De använde svarta pengar som aldrig redovisades.

Informal

"vittvätta"

— To money launder (to make illegal money look 'redovisad').

De försökte vittvätta pengarna genom att redovisa dem som vinst.

Legal/Informal

Easily Confused

redovisa vs redogöra

Both involve reporting/explaining.

Redogöra is more descriptive/narrative; redovisa is more data-driven/financial.

Redogör för händelsen (Explain the event) vs Redovisa utgifterna (Report the expenses).

redovisa vs rapportera

Both mean 'to report'.

Rapportera is general news/status; redovisa is detailed accounting/presentation of work.

Rapportera en olycka (Report an accident) vs Redovisa ett projekt (Present a project).

redovisa vs visa

Redovisa contains the word 'visa'.

Visa is 'to show' (simple); redovisa is 'to account for' (complex/formal).

Visa mig bilden (Show me the picture) vs Redovisa siffrorna (Account for the figures).

redovisa vs deklarera

Both used for taxes.

Deklarera is the whole process of filing taxes; redovisa is the act of reporting specific items within it.

Jag ska deklarera imorgon vs Jag redovisar min inkomst.

redovisa vs uppge

Both provide information.

Uppge is stating a fact (name/age); redovisa is a systematic presentation.

Uppge namn (State name) vs Redovisa resultat (Present results).

Sentence Patterns

Jag ska redovisa [substantiv].

Jag ska redovisa min läxa.

Kan du redovisa [substantiv]?

Kan du redovisa dina timmar?

[Subjekt] redovisar [substantiv] för [person].

Han redovisar resultatet för chefen.

[Substantiv] redovisas i [plats].

Siffrorna redovisas i rapporten.

Det är viktigt att redovisa [abstrakt substantiv].

Det är viktigt att redovisa sina källor.

[Subjekt] redovisade för [händelse/orsak].

Han redovisade för sina motiv.

I [dokument] redovisas [komplext objekt].

I propositionen redovisas motiven till lagen.

Genom att redovisa [objekt] uppnås [resultat].

Genom att redovisa alla utgifter uppnås transparens.

Word Family

Nouns

redovisning (accounting/presentation)

årsredovisning (annual report)

redovisningskonsult (accounting consultant)

redovisningsskyldighet (accountability)

Verbs

redovisa (to account for)

Adjectives

redovisad (accounted for)

oredovisad (unaccounted for)

redovisningsskyldig (accountable/obligated to report)

redo (ready)

visa (show)

redogörelse (account/report)

bokföring (bookkeeping)

deklaration (tax return)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional, academic, and administrative contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'redovisa' instead of 'berätta' for stories. → Jag ska berätta en historia.
Redovisa is for reports and data, not narratives.
Saying 'redovisa till' someone. → Redovisa för någon.
The preposition 'för' is the correct one for the recipient of the report.
Using 'redovisa' for introducing a person. → Presentera min vän.
Redovisa is for work/data; presentera is for people/ideas.
Incorrect past tense 'redoviste'. → Redovisade.
It is a Group 1 verb, so it must end in -ade.
Using 'redovisa' for a simple 'show' (e.g., show a photo). → Visa en bild.
Redovisa is too formal for just showing a picture to a friend.

Tips

Regular Verb

Since it's a Group 1 verb, you can easily conjugate it. Focus on the 'ade' ending for past tense: redovisade.

Business Swedish

If you work in Sweden, learn this word early. You will need it for every meeting and every expense report.

Show Your Work

In Swedish universities, you don't just 'do' an assignment; you 'redovisar' it. This often means a presentation.

Word Family

Learn 'redovisning' (noun) at the same time. They are almost always used together in the same contexts.

Transparency

Understand that 'redovisa' is a value-word in Sweden. Being able to account for things is a sign of being a reliable person.

Ready-Show

Think of the 'redo' (ready) + 'visa' (show) parts to remember that you are making something ready to be seen.

Passive Voice

Use 'redovisas' in reports to sound more professional. 'Data redovisas i bilagan' (Data is reported in the appendix).

News Keywords

When you hear 'vinst' (profit) or 'förlust' (loss) on the news, the verb 'redovisar' is almost always nearby.

Presentation Starter

A great way to start a presentation is: 'Idag ska jag redovisa resultaten från...'

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'REDO' and 'VISA'. You make your data REDO (ready) and then you VISA (show) it to your boss. REDO-VISA.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a magnifying glass over a neatly organized stack of receipts and a clear chart. This is the act of 'redovisa'.

Word Web

Skatteverket Presentation Moms Rapport Siffror Transparens Bokföring Skola

Challenge

Try to explain your daily routine to a friend using 'redovisa' as if you were a robot reporting to a creator. 'Jag ska nu redovisa mina morgonrutiner...'

Word Origin

The word comes from the combination of the Swedish adjective 'redo' and the verb 'visa'. 'Redo' stems from Old Norse 'reiðu', meaning 'ready' or 'prepared'. 'Visa' comes from Old Norse 'vísa', meaning 'to show' or 'to point out'.

Original meaning: To make something ready to be shown or inspected.

Germanic (Swedish)

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but using it in a personal relationship can sound accusatory or cold, as if you don't trust the other person.

In English, we often use 'report' or 'present'. 'Account for' is the closest in a professional sense, but 'redovisa' is used more broadly in Swedish schools.

Årsredovisningen (The Annual Report) - a dreaded but essential document for every Swedish company. Skatteverket's guides on 'Hur du redovisar moms'. Student 'redovisningar' - a shared experience for all Swedes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business/Finance

redovisa moms
redovisa vinst
redovisa utgifter
årsredovisning

Education

redovisa en uppgift
redovisa källor
muntlig redovisning
redovisa beräkningar

Legal/Administrative

redovisa sina kontakter
redovisa för sina handlingar
skyldig att redovisa
redovisa enligt lag

Science/Research

redovisa metod
redovisa resultat
redovisa data
redovisas i tabell

Personal Accountability

redovisa sin tid
redovisa var man varit
redovisa sina tankar
redovisa öppet

Conversation Starters

"Hur ska vi redovisa det här projektet för ledningen?"

"Har du hunnit redovisa dina resekostnader än?"

"Vem i gruppen ska redovisa våra resultat?"

"Hur brukar ni redovisa era arbetstimmar på ditt jobb?"

"Tycker du det är jobbigt att redovisa inför andra?"

Journal Prompts

Redovisa för dina mål för det kommande året. Hur ska du nå dem?

Redovisa en händelse där du var tvungen att förklara dina handlingar för någon annan.

Om du var tvungen att redovisa din tidsanvändning för en vecka, vad skulle resultatet visa?

Varför är det viktigt för ett samhälle att politiker redovisar sina kontakter?

Redovisa för en bok du har läst nyligen. Vad var de viktigaste lärdomarna?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. Use 'berätta' for stories. 'Redovisa' sounds very formal, like you are in a courtroom or a business meeting reporting facts.

Yes, in a business context, 'redovisning' is the Swedish word for accounting. However, it also means 'presentation' in a school context.

It is 'redovisade'. It follows the Group 1 pattern: -ar, -ade, -at.

You should use 'för'. For example: 'Jag redovisar för klassen' (I am presenting to the class).

It's possible if you are being very analytical or formal, but 'berätta om mina känslor' is much more natural.

Yes, extremely common in professional life and education in Sweden.

It means to report Value Added Tax (VAT) to the tax authorities.

Rarely. 'Redovisa sig' can mean to identify oneself, but it's very formal and uncommon.

Yes! 'Redovisa dina beräkningar' means 'show your work/calculations'.

No, it's neutral. However, if someone asks you to 'redovisa' your personal time, it might feel like they are being controlling.