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B2 adjective 10 Min. Lesezeit

ønskelig

desirable

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'ønskelig' yet. It's a bit too formal. Instead, you use the verb 'å ønske' (to wish) or 'å vil ha' (to want to have). For example, instead of saying 'It is desirable to have coffee,' you say 'Jeg vil ha kaffe' (I want coffee). If you see 'ønskelig' in a text, just think of it as a fancy way of saying 'good' or 'something people want'. It comes from 'ønske' (wish), so it's all about things that are nice to have. Don't worry about the grammar too much yet, just recognize that it means 'wanted'.

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At the A2 level, you might start seeing 'ønskelig' in simple job ads or polite signs. You should know that it's an adjective. It describes things that are 'desirable' or 'preferred'. A key thing to remember is that it's related to the word 'ønske' (a wish). You might see it in sentences like 'Erfaring er ønskelig' (Experience is desirable). This means it's good if you have experience, but maybe not 100% necessary. You can use it to be more polite than just saying 'Jeg vil' (I want). It makes you sound a bit more grown-up in your Norwegian.

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By B1, you should be able to use 'ønskelig' in your own writing, especially in formal letters or when talking about work. You should understand the structure 'Det er ønskelig at...' (It is desirable that...). Notice that we don't add a 't' at the end for neuter nouns because words ending in -ig are special. You should also be able to use the negative form 'uønskelig' (undesirable) to talk about things that are bad or should be avoided. It's a great word for giving advice or stating a preference without being too bossy.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'ønskelig' with precision. You should distinguish it from 'ønsket' (wanted/requested) and 'nødvendig' (necessary). You should use it to discuss hypothetical situations, policy goals, or professional qualifications. You should also be comfortable with the plural form 'ønskelige' and the comparative 'mer ønskelig'. At this level, you use the word to add nuance to your arguments—showing that while something isn't a strict requirement, it is the optimal path or choice. It's a key word for academic and professional fluency.

At the C1 level, 'ønskelig' becomes a tool for subtle rhetorical positioning. You use it in complex sentence structures to discuss societal norms, ethical considerations, and strategic planning. You understand the stylistic difference between 'ønskelig', 'hensiktsmessig', and 'fordelaktig'. You can use it to critique a situation by describing it as 'uønskelig' in a formal report or essay. Your mastery includes knowing when the word might sound too bureaucratic and when it provides the perfect level of professional distance. You use it naturally in debates to frame what 'should' be the case.

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At the C2 level, your use of 'ønskelig' is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You use it to navigate the finest nuances of modality and social expectation. You might use it ironically, or in highly specialized legal or philosophical contexts where the 'desirability' of a state of affairs is being analyzed. You are fully aware of its etymological roots and how it fits into the broader Germanic linguistic tradition. You can play with the word in literature or high-level journalism, using it to evoke a specific tone of officialdom or collective aspiration.

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Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

ønskelig in 30 Sekunden

Ønskelig means 'desirable' and describes something that is ideal or preferred but not necessarily mandatory.
It is very common in job advertisements to list 'ønskelige kvalifikasjoner' (preferred skills).
The word is an adjective and does not take a '-t' in the neuter form (et ønskelig resultat).
In formal settings, use 'Det er ønskelig at...' to express a polite preference or goal.

The Norwegian adjective ønskelig is a sophisticated and highly versatile word that translates most directly to the English word desirable. However, its usage in Norwegian often carries a slightly more pragmatic or formal weight than its English counterpart. While in English we might say something is 'wanted' or 'preferred,' Norwegian speakers frequently reach for ønskelig to describe states of affairs, qualifications, or outcomes that are ideal but perhaps not strictly mandatory. It is a cornerstone of professional, bureaucratic, and academic Norwegian, yet it remains perfectly at home in everyday conversation when discussing hopes and preferences.

Semantic Core: At its heart, the word is derived from the verb å ønske (to wish or want) combined with the suffix -lig, which functions similarly to the English '-able' or '-ly'. Therefore, the literal meaning is 'wish-able'. It describes an objective or condition that aligns with one's desires or the requirements of a specific situation.
Professional Context: You will encounter this word most frequently in job advertisements. When an employer lists 'ønskelige kvalifikasjoner,' they are referring to 'nice-to-have' skills. This distinguishes them from 'krav' (requirements), which are essential. Understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone navigating the Norwegian labor market.
Social Nuance: In social settings, ønskelig can be used to express a polite preference. Instead of saying 'I want you to come,' saying 'Det er ønskelig at du kommer' softens the demand into a statement about what would be ideal, making it sound more diplomatic and less confrontational.

Det er ikke bare ønskelig, det er helt nødvendig for prosjektets suksess.

Translation: It is not just desirable; it is absolutely necessary for the project's success.

The word also plays a significant role in political and social discourse. When discussing societal changes, such as environmental policies or economic shifts, commentators will often debate whether a particular development is ønskelig for the population. It invites a value judgment, asking the listener to consider the merits and drawbacks of a situation. Because it is an adjective, it must agree with the noun it describes, though it is very often used in the neuter form ønskelig in impersonal constructions starting with 'Det er...' (It is...).

En ønskelig situasjon ville være at renten forblir lav.

Translation: A desirable situation would be that the interest rate remains low.

In summary, ønskelig is your go-to word for expressing optimality. It sits comfortably between the simple god (good) and the more intense nødvendig (necessary). By mastering its use, you can express preferences with a level of sophistication that marks you as a competent speaker of Norwegian at the B2 level and beyond.

Using ønskelig correctly requires an understanding of Norwegian adjective agreement and sentence structure. As an adjective, it modifies nouns, but its most frequent appearance is in the predicate position or within impersonal constructions. Let us break down the various ways you can weave this word into your Norwegian prose and speech.

Impersonal Constructions

The most common pattern is Det er ønskelig å/at.... Here, 'ønskelig' remains in its neuter form because the subject 'det' is impersonal. For example: 'Det er ønskelig å starte møtet presist' (It is desirable to start the meeting on time). This structure is formal, polite, and very common in written instructions.

Modifying Nouns

When modifying a specific noun, the word must agree in gender and number.

En ønskelig effekt (A desirable effect - masculine/feminine)
Et ønskelig resultat (A desirable result - neuter)
De ønskelige endringene (The desirable changes - plural)

Notice how the ending changes from -lig to -lige in the plural or definite form.

Vi søker kandidater med ønskelig kompetanse innen IT.

Translation: We are looking for candidates with desirable competence within IT.

Another important aspect is the use of ønskelig in the comparative and superlative forms. If you want to say something is 'more desirable' or 'most desirable,' you use mer ønskelig and mest ønskelig. Norwegian does not typically add suffixes like -ere or -est to adjectives ending in -lig for comparison, making 'mer' and 'mest' the standard choice.

Dette alternativet er langt mer ønskelig enn det forrige.

Translation: This alternative is far more desirable than the previous one.

Negation: To say something is 'undesirable,' you have two main options. You can use the prefix u- to create uønskelig, which is very common. Alternatively, you can simply use 'ikke ønskelig'. 'En uønskelig hendelse' (An undesirable incident) sounds more like a formal term for an accident or error.

Finally, pay attention to the word order when using ønskelig in questions. Because it is an adjective, it usually follows the verb 'å være' (to be). For example: 'Er det ønskelig med flere tilbakemeldinger?' (Is it desirable with more feedback? / Would more feedback be welcome?). This is a polite way to ask if something is wanted without putting pressure on the respondent.

If you live in Norway or consume Norwegian media, ønskelig will start appearing everywhere once you know to look for it. It is not a word hidden in dusty dictionaries; it is a live, breathing part of the modern Norwegian lexicon, particularly in settings that require a certain level of decorum or precision.

The Workplace and NAV: In the Norwegian professional world, ønskelig is the gold standard for describing preferences. Whether you are reading a job post on Finn.no or receiving an email from NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration), you will see it used to describe skills, behaviors, or timeframes. It signals a preference that is strong but allows for some flexibility.
News and Politics: Politicians on NRK or writers for Aftenposten frequently use ønskelig when discussing policy goals. They might speak about 'en ønskelig utvikling' (a desirable development) in the economy or the climate. It is a useful word because it sounds objective while still expressing a clear value-based goal.

Det er ikke ønskelig med en konflikt i denne saken.

Translation: A conflict in this matter is not desirable (often said by officials).

In healthcare, doctors might use it to describe a target health state. 'Det er ønskelig at blodtrykket ditt synker litt' (It is desirable that your blood pressure drops a bit). Here, it functions as a professional way of stating a medical goal. It sounds less like a personal command from the doctor and more like an objective medical recommendation.

Høyere utdanning er ønskelig, men ikke påkrevd.

Translation: Higher education is desirable, but not required.

Even in retail or customer service, you might hear: 'Er det ønskelig med gaveinnpakning?' (Is gift wrapping desired?). While 'Vil du ha...' (Do you want...) is more common in casual shops, ønskelig adds a touch of class and formality to the service experience. It is particularly common in high-end stores or when dealing with complex services like insurance or banking.

While ønskelig is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often trip up on its grammatical nuances or its subtle difference from related words. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Norwegian sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing 'Ønskelig' with 'Ønsket': This is the most frequent error. Ønsket is the past participle of the verb 'å ønske' and means 'wanted' or 'wished for'. Ønskelig means 'desirable' (worth wanting). Use ønsket for something someone has actually asked for ('en ønsket gave'), and ønskelig for something that would be good in general ('en ønskelig situasjon').
Adjective Agreement Errors: Many learners forget to add the -e in plural or definite contexts. Writing 'de ønskelig resultatene' is incorrect; it must be de ønskelige resultatene. Conversely, do not add a -t for neuter nouns. The word already ends in -ig, and adjectives ending in -ig do not take a -t in the neuter form. So, 'et ønskelig resultat' is correct, not 'et ønskeligt resultat'.

Feil: Det er ønskeligt å komme tidlig.
Riktig: Det er ønskelig å komme tidlig.

Another mistake is overusing the word in very informal settings. If you are at a BBQ and ask your friend if it's 'ønskelig' with more ketchup, you will sound like a robot or a bureaucrat. In casual settings, just use 'Vil du ha...' (Do you want...) or 'Har du lyst på...' (Would you like...). Save ønskelig for situations where a bit of professional distance or descriptive precision is needed.

Det er uønskelig (undesirable) at vi bruker for mye tid på dette.

Correct usage of the negative form in a meeting.

Lastly, be careful with prepositions. Usually, ønskelig is followed by med (with) or a clause starting with at (that) or å (to). Avoid using 'for' unless you are specifying for whom it is desirable. For example: 'Det er ønskelig for oss at...' (It is desirable for us that...).

To truly master Norwegian, you need to know not just the word ønskelig, but also its neighbors in the semantic landscape. Depending on the intensity of the desire or the formality of the situation, you might want to swap ønskelig for something else.

Ønskelig vs. Fordelaktig: Fordelaktig means 'advantageous' or 'beneficial'. While ønskelig focuses on the 'wanting' aspect, fordelaktig focuses on the 'benefit' aspect. You might say a price is fordelaktig, but a outcome is ønskelig.
Ønskelig vs. Ideell: Ideell means 'ideal'. This is a stronger word than ønskelig. If something is ønskelig, it is good; if it is ideell, it is the absolute best possible version. 'En ideell løsning' is the perfect solution.
Ønskelig vs. Attraktiv: Attraktiv translates to 'attractive'. It is used for things that draw people in, like an 'attraktiv arbeidsplass' (an attractive workplace). While ønskelig is more about the state of being wanted, attraktiv is about the quality that causes that want.

En velkommen (welcome) endring er ofte ønskelig.

In formal reports, you might also see hensiktsmessig (appropriate/expedient). This word is even more clinical than ønskelig. It describes what is logical or effective for reaching a goal. If a doctor says a treatment is hensiktsmessig, they mean it makes sense medically, whereas ønskelig might refer to the patient's preference for that treatment.

Det er ettertraktet (highly sought after) kompetanse.

Translation: It is highly sought-after competence (stronger than just desirable).

Finally, consider the word kjærkommen (welcome/much appreciated). This is a more emotional or poetic alternative. A 'kjærkommen gave' is a gift that is not just desirable, but one that warms the heart. Using these synonyms correctly will allow you to express the exact 'flavor' of desire you intend.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Neutral

Informell

Child friendly

Umgangssprache

Wusstest du?

The word 'ønskelig' shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'winsome' (charming/attractive), as both come from the root meaning 'to strive for' or 'to wish'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈœnskəlɪ/

US /ˈœnskəlɪ/

Stress is on the first syllable: ØNS-ke-lig.

Reimt sich auf

vanskelig (difficult) merkelig (strange) forskjellig (different) naturlig (natural) mulig (possible) hyggelig (nice) viktig (important - near rhyme) nødvendig (necessary - near rhyme)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the final 'g'. In standard Norwegian (Bokmål), the 'g' in '-lig' is silent.
Pronouncing the 'ø' like an 'o'.
Adding a 't' at the end when it's neuter.
Forgetting to add 'e' in the plural.
Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'ønske'.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires knowledge of adjective agreement and 'at/å' clauses.

Sprechen 4/5

Pronunciation of 'ø' and silent 'g' can be tricky.

Hören 3/5

Common in news and professional speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

å ønske et ønske god viktig nødvendig

Als Nächstes lernen

hensiktsmessig fordelaktig uønsket krav forutsetning

Fortgeschritten

normativ optimalisering diskurs ontologisk teleologisk

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjectives ending in -ig/-lig do not take -t in the neuter.

Et ønskelig (ikke ønskeligt) resultat.

Adjective agreement in plural.

De ønskelige endringene.

Use of 'at' clauses after adjectives.

Det er ønskelig at du kommer.

Comparatives with 'mer' and 'mest'.

Dette er mer ønskelig enn det andre.

Impersonal 'det' as a dummy subject.

Det er ønskelig med ro.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Det er ønskelig med sol.

It is desirable with sun.

Simple 'Det er...' construction.

En ønskelig dag.

A desirable day.

Adjective modifying a masculine noun.

Er det ønskelig?

Is it desirable?

Simple question form.

Ikke ønskelig.

Not desirable.

Simple negation.

Det er ønskelig å spise.

It is desirable to eat.

Infinitive after ønskelig.

Veldig ønskelig.

Very desirable.

Using an intensifier.

En ønskelig gave.

A desirable gift.

Modifying a feminine/masculine noun.

Det er ønskelig her.

It is desirable here.

Adverbial 'her' added.

Erfaring er ønskelig for jobben.

Experience is desirable for the job.

Predicate adjective.

Det er ønskelig at du kommer klokken ni.

It is desirable that you come at nine.

Clause starting with 'at'.

Er det ønskelig med kaffe nå?

Is it desirable with coffee now?

Polite question with 'med'.

Dette er ikke en ønskelig situasjon.

This is not a desirable situation.

Negation in a full sentence.

Vi ser etter ønskelige resultater.

We look for desirable results.

Plural form 'ønskelige'.

Det er ønskelig å lære norsk fort.

It is desirable to learn Norwegian fast.

Infinitive phrase.

Er det ønskelig for deg?

Is it desirable for you?

Specifying the person with 'for deg'.

En ønskelig utvikling i saken.

A desirable development in the case.

Abstract noun modification.

Det er ønskelig at alle ansatte deltar på kurset.

It is desirable that all employees participate in the course.

Formal work-related sentence.

En viss grad av fleksibilitet er ønskelig.

A certain degree of flexibility is desirable.

Subject is a complex noun phrase.

Det anses som ønskelig å ha førerkort.

It is considered desirable to have a driver's license.

Passive construction 'anses som'.

Uønskelige bivirkninger kan forekomme.

Undesirable side effects can occur.

Negative plural 'uønskelige'.

Er det ønskelig med en pause nå, eller skal vi fortsette?

Is it desirable with a break now, or shall we continue?

Compound question.

Vi må finne en løsning som er ønskelig for begge parter.

We must find a solution that is desirable for both parties.

Relative clause 'som er ønskelig'.

Det er ikke ønskelig å bruke mer penger enn nødvendig.

It is not desirable to use more money than necessary.

Comparison with 'nødvendig'.

Dette er den mest ønskelige utgangen på konflikten.

This is the most desirable outcome of the conflict.

Superlative 'mest ønskelige'.

Det er ønskelig at regjeringen tar grep i denne saken.

It is desirable that the government takes action in this matter.

Political context.

En slik endring i lovverket er neppe ønskelig.

Such a change in the legislation is hardly desirable.

Use of the adverb 'neppe' (hardly).

Det er ønskelig å oppnå en balanse mellom arbeid og fritid.

It is desirable to achieve a balance between work and leisure.

Abstract goal setting.

Kandidaten må ha de ønskelige personlige egenskapene.

The candidate must have the desirable personal qualities.

Definite plural 'de ønskelige'.

Det ville vært ønskelig om vi ble informert tidligere.

It would have been desirable if we were informed earlier.

Conditional 'ville vært'.

Uønsket adferd er ikke ønskelig i vårt arbeidsmiljø.

Unwanted behavior is not desirable in our work environment.

Contrast between 'uønsket' and 'ønskelig'.

Dette er et ønskelig, men ambisiøst mål.

This is a desirable but ambitious goal.

Conjunction 'men'.

Hvorvidt dette er ønskelig, gjenstår å se.

Whether this is desirable remains to be seen.

Formal phrase 'gjenstår å se'.

Det er ønskelig at diskusjonen føres på et saklig nivå.

It is desirable that the discussion is conducted on an objective level.

Passive voice 'føres'.

En ytterligere eskalering av konflikten er på ingen måte ønskelig.

A further escalation of the conflict is by no means desirable.

Strong negation 'på ingen måte'.

Det er ønskelig å belyse saken fra flere sider før en beslutning tas.

It is desirable to shed light on the matter from several sides before a decision is made.

Metaphorical 'belyse'.

Resultatet var kanskje ikke det mest ønskelige, men det var akseptabelt.

The result was perhaps not the most desirable, but it was acceptable.

Nuanced evaluation.

Det er ønskelig at vi i større grad tar hensyn til miljøet.

It is desirable that we to a greater extent take the environment into account.

Phrase 'i større grad'.

Hvorvidt en slik sentralisering er ønskelig, er gjenstand for debatt.

Whether such centralization is desirable is the subject of debate.

Formal 'gjenstand for debatt'.

Det er ønskelig med en mer nyansert tilnærming til problemet.

A more nuanced approach to the problem is desirable.

Academic 'nyansert tilnærming'.

En stabil økonomisk vekst anses som høyst ønskelig.

Stable economic growth is considered highly desirable.

Adverb 'høyst' (highly).

Det er ønskelig at de ontologiske forutsetningene klargjøres.

It is desirable that the ontological assumptions are clarified.

Highly academic terminology.

Hvorvidt en slik samfunnsutvikling er ønskelig, fordrer en dypere etisk refleksjon.

Whether such social development is desirable requires a deeper ethical reflection.

Formal verb 'fordrer'.

Det er ønskelig å unngå enhver form for vilkårlighet i saksbehandlingen.

It is desirable to avoid any form of arbitrariness in the case processing.

Legal/Bureaucratic precision.

En harmonisering av regelverket er ønskelig for å sikre like konkurransevilkår.

A harmonization of the regulations is desirable to ensure a level playing field.

Economic/Regulatory context.

Det er ønskelig at man i større utstrekning problematiserer vedtatte sannheter.

It is desirable that one to a greater extent problematizes established truths.

Intellectual/Critical discourse.

At dette er en ønskelig tilstand, er en påstand som krever empirisk belegg.

That this is a desirable state is a claim that requires empirical evidence.

Scientific/Logical structure.

Det er ønskelig at den diskursive praksisen reflekterer mangfoldet i befolkningen.

It is desirable that the discursive practice reflects the diversity of the population.

Sociological terminology.

En slik konklusjon er kanskje logisk, men neppe ønskelig fra et humanistisk perspektiv.

Such a conclusion is perhaps logical, but hardly desirable from a humanistic perspective.

Philosophical nuance.

Häufige Kollokationen

ønskelig effekt

ønskelig resultat

ønskelig kompetanse

ønskelig utvikling

høyst ønskelig

neppe ønskelig

sosialt ønskelig

ønskelig situasjon

ønskelig retning

ønskelig nivå

Häufige Phrasen

Det er ønskelig at...

Erfaring er ønskelig

I den grad det er ønskelig

Om ønskelig

Så langt det er ønskelig

Et ønskelig mål

Ikke lenger ønskelig

Som ønskelig

Minst ønskelig

Være ønskelig

Wird oft verwechselt mit

ønskelig vs ønsket

Ønsket means 'wanted' (past participle), while ønskelig means 'desirable' (adjective).

ønskelig vs nødvendig

Nødvendig means 'necessary' (must have), while ønskelig is 'nice to have'.

ønskelig vs viktig

Viktig means 'important'; something can be important without being desirable (like a hard lesson).

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"La øvrig ønske tilbake"

To leave much to be desired (this is the closest idiomatic expression).

Resultatet lot mye øvrig ønske tilbake.

formal

"Ønsketenkning"

Wishful thinking (related to the root 'ønske').

Det er bare ønsketenkning at vi vinner.

neutral

"Få det som man vil"

To get what one wants (the active version of a desirable outcome).

Hun fikk det akkurat som hun ville.

informal

"I sikte"

In sight (used when a desirable goal is close).

En løsning er i sikte.

neutral

"Gull og grønne skoger"

Gold and green forests (promising too many desirable things).

Han lovet dem gull og grønne skoger.

idiomatic

"Som snytt ut av nesen"

Like something desirable/perfect (often used for appearance).

Han er som snytt ut av nesen på faren sin.

informal

"Midt i blinken"

Right in the bullseye (perfectly desirable).

Denne gaven var midt i blinken.

informal

"Et skritt i riktig retning"

A step in the right direction (towards a desirable goal).

Den nye loven er et skritt i riktig retning.

neutral

"Sette sin elsk på"

To take a strong liking to something desirable.

Hun har satt sin elsk på det nye huset.

neutral

"Som hånd i hanske"

Like a hand in a glove (a perfectly desirable fit).

De to passer sammen som hånd i hanske.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

ønskelig vs ønsket

Both come from 'ønske'.

Ønsket is the specific thing someone asked for. Ønskelig is the general quality of being worth wanting.

Dette er den ønskede fargen (the specific color asked for). Dette er en ønskelig farge ( a color that would be good to have).

ønskelig vs villig

Sounds slightly similar and involves 'wanting'.

Villig means 'willing' (a person's state), whereas ønskelig describes a thing or situation.

Han er villig til å hjelpe.

ønskelig vs fordelaktig

Similar meaning in professional contexts.

Fordelaktig refers to profit or advantage; ønskelig refers to general preference.

En fordelaktig pris.

ønskelig vs hensiktsmessig

Both used in formal reports.

Hensiktsmessig is about logic and efficiency; ønskelig is about preference.

Det er hensiktsmessig å bruke bil.

ønskelig vs trivelig

Both end in -lig and are positive.

Trivelig means 'pleasant' or 'cozy', usually for social situations; ønskelig is for outcomes/qualities.

En trivelig kveld.

Satzmuster

Det er ønskelig med [noun].

Det er ønskelig med sol.

Det er ønskelig å [verb].

Det er ønskelig å starte tidlig.

Det er ønskelig at [subject] [verb].

Det er ønskelig at du ringer.

[Noun] er ønskelig, men ikke påkrevd.

Erfaring er ønskelig, men ikke påkrevd.

En [adjective] [noun] er ønskelig.

En rask løsning er ønskelig.

Hvorvidt [clause] er ønskelig, er [noun].

Hvorvidt dette er ønskelig, er et åpent spørsmål.

Det anses som ønskelig å [verb].

Det anses som ønskelig å ha god kontakt.

Det er ønskelig at [passive clause].

Det er ønskelig at tiltakene iverksettes umiddelbart.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

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So verwendest du es

frequency

High in professional and written Norwegian; medium in daily speech.

Häufige Fehler

Et ønskeligt resultat → Et ønskelig resultat
Adjectives ending in -lig do not take -t in the neuter.
De ønskelig resultatene → De ønskelige resultatene
Plural adjectives must end in -e.
Det er ønskeligere → Det er mer ønskelig
-lig adjectives use mer/mest for comparison.
Jeg er ønskelig til å... → Jeg er villig til å...
Ønskelig describes situations/things, not people's willingness.
En ønsket situasjon → En ønskelig situasjon
Use 'ønsket' for something specifically requested, 'ønskelig' for something generally desirable.

Tipps

The Neuter Rule

Remember: No '-t' at the end for neuter nouns. This is a common test question for B2 learners. Practice saying 'et ønskelig mål' repeatedly.

Job Ad Keyword

If you are looking for work in Norway, 'ønskelig' is a keyword. It means you should still apply even if you don't have that specific skill, as long as you have the 'krav' (requirements).

Diplomacy

Use 'ønskelig' to soften your requests. 'Det er ønskelig at du rydder' sounds much more professional than 'Du må rydde'.

Silent G

Never pronounce the 'g' in 'ønskelig'. It should sound like 'ønske-li'. Pronouncing the 'g' will make you sound like you are reading from an old book.

Professionalism

In a Norwegian office, using this word shows you have reached a higher level of linguistic competence and understand professional decorum.

Uønskelig

Use 'uønskelig' for serious things like 'uønskede hendelser' (accidents/incidents). It is the standard term in safety and risk management.

Mer/Mest

Stick to 'mer ønskelig' and 'mest ønskelig'. Avoid the temptation to say 'ønskeligere', which is grammatically incorrect.

Fint vs. Ønskelig

Switch to 'fint' when talking to children or close friends. 'Det er fint om du...' is the casual version of 'Det er ønskelig at du...'.

Formal Reports

When writing a report, use 'ønskelig' to describe the 'target state'. It gives your writing an objective, professional tone.

Wish-ly

Think of it as 'Wish-ly'. It describes things that are 'wish-like' or 'wish-able'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of the 'ø' in 'ønskelig' as an open mouth making a 'wish'. If something is 'ønskelig', it is 'wish-able'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a 'Wish List' (ønskeliste). Everything on that list is 'ønskelig' (desirable).

Word Web

ønske håp mål drøm ideell god uønskelig krav

Herausforderung

Try to write three job requirements using 'ønskelig' for a fictional job as a space explorer.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old Norse verb 'ønskja' (to wish), which has roots in Proto-Germanic '*wunskijaną'. The suffix '-lig' comes from Old Norse '-ligr', meaning 'having the form or nature of'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To have the nature of something wished for.

North Germanic / Indo-European.

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'uønskelig' about people; it can sound very harsh, like 'persona non grata'.

English speakers often use 'desirable' in more romantic or intense contexts, whereas in Norwegian, 'ønskelig' is more clinical and professional.

Used frequently in the Norwegian Constitution (Grunnloven) and legal texts. Common in NRK news headlines regarding climate goals. Found in classic Norwegian literature when characters discuss their hopes for the future.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Job applications

Erfaring er ønskelig.
Personlig egnethet er ønskelig.
Gode språkkunnskaper er ønskelig.
Relevant utdanning er ønskelig.

Medical settings

En vektnedgang er ønskelig.
Det er ønskelig med mer mosjon.
Et stabilt blodsukker er ønskelig.
Færre bivirkninger er ønskelig.

Politics

En bærekraftig utvikling er ønskelig.
Lavere skatter er ønskelig for mange.
Økt samarbeid er ønskelig.
Fred er det mest ønskelige målet.

Education

Det er ønskelig at elevene leser hjemme.
Aktiv deltakelse er ønskelig.
Gode karakterer er ønskelig.
Et trygt skolemiljø er ønskelig.

Customer Service

Er det ønskelig med kvittering?
Er det ønskelig med hjelp til bæring?
Når er det ønskelig med levering?
Er det ønskelig med mer kaffe?

Gesprächseinstiege

"Synes du det er ønskelig med fire dagers arbeidsuke?"

"Hvilke kvalifikasjoner mener du er mest ønskelige i din bransje?"

"Er det noen endringer i nabolaget ditt som ville vært ønskelige?"

"Mener du det er ønskelig at alle lærer seg et tredje språk?"

"Hva slags vær er mest ønskelig for deg i ferien?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Beskriv en situasjon i livet ditt som ikke er ønskelig akkurat nå, og hvordan du kan endre den.

Hvilke personlige egenskaper mener du er mest ønskelige hos en god venn?

Skriv om en politisk endring du mener er ønskelig for landet ditt.

Reflekter over forskjellen mellom det som er 'ønskelig' og det som er 'nødvendig' i din hverdag.

Hvis du kunne skape den 'ønskelige' fremtiden for planeten, hvordan ville den sett ut?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, adjectives ending in -ig or -lig do not add a -t in the neuter form. You say 'et ønskelig resultat', not 'et ønskeligt resultat'.

It is rare and usually sounds very formal or clinical. You might say 'en ønskelig kandidat' in HR, but you wouldn't say a friend is 'ønskelig' unless you mean it in a very specific, almost objectifying way.

'Ideell' is stronger. 'Ønskelig' means it's good to have, but 'ideell' means it's the perfect, absolute best version.

The most common way is to add the prefix 'u-', making it 'uønskelig'. You can also say 'ikke ønskelig'.

It is common in professional meetings, news, and polite service, but in casual talk with friends, people usually say 'fint' or 'bra'.

Technically yes, but it is extremely rare. Usually, we use other adverbs to express that something happened in a desirable way, like 'som ønsket'.

No, it's related to 'wish'. 'Ønske' = 'Wish'.

List it under a section like 'Ønskede kvalifikasjoner' or write 'Erfaring med [skill] er ønskelig'.

Yes, 'mest ønskelig'. We use 'mer' and 'mest' because adjectives ending in -lig don't usually take -ere/-est.

Yes, it means 'It is desirable for me', though 'Jeg har lyst på' or 'Jeg vil gjerne ha' is more common in speech.

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