opplysning
opplysning 30초 만에
- Opplysning means information or a piece of data.
- It is a countable noun (en opplysning, flere opplysninger).
- It can also refer to the Enlightenment historical period.
- Commonly used in official, legal, and educational contexts.
The Norwegian word opplysning is a multifaceted noun that primarily translates to 'information' or 'enlightenment.' At its core, it refers to the act of shedding light on something that was previously unknown or unclear. In a digital and bureaucratic society like Norway, you will encounter this word constantly, whether you are filling out government forms, asking for directions, or studying history. It is derived from the verb å opplyse, which literally means 'to light up.' This etymological root provides a beautiful mental image: when you receive an opplysning, a dark area of your knowledge is suddenly illuminated.
- General Information
- In everyday conversation, the plural form opplysninger is frequently used to mean 'details' or 'data.' For example, when a bank asks for your 'personopplysninger,' they are asking for your personal details like name, address, and social security number.
Kan du gi meg flere opplysninger om denne saken? (Can you give me more information about this matter?)
Beyond mere data, the word carries a historical and philosophical weight. When capitalized as Opplysningstiden, it refers to the Enlightenment—the intellectual movement of the 18th century. This dual nature makes the word unique; it bridges the gap between a mundane piece of data (like a phone number) and the grand concept of human reason and education. In a modern context, opplysning is also used in public health campaigns, known as folkeopplysning, which aims to educate the general public on important issues like nutrition or civic duties.
- Public Service
- The term 'ruteopplysning' refers to transport information services. If you are lost at a train station, you look for the 'opplysning' desk.
Vi mangler fortsatt viktige opplysninger før vi kan ta en beslutning. (We still lack important information before we can make a decision.)
In professional settings, specifically legal or medical, opplysning is the standard term for disclosures. A doctor has an 'opplysningsplikt' (duty to inform) in certain circumstances. This highlights the word's connection to transparency and truth. Whether you are talking about 'tilleggsopplysninger' (additional information) in a job application or 'feilopplysninger' (incorrect information) in a news report, the word serves as a foundational pillar for describing how knowledge is shared and verified in Norwegian society. Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners because it moves beyond the basic 'informasjon' and allows for more precise communication in official and academic contexts.
Using opplysning correctly requires an understanding of its countability and common collocations. In Norwegian, opplysning is a countable noun (en opplysning), unlike the English 'information' which is uncountable. This is a major hurdle for English speakers. You can say 'to opplysninger' (two pieces of information), whereas in English, you cannot say 'two informations.' This makes the word very flexible for specifying exactly how much data you are discussing.
- Countability Rule
- Always remember that you can use 'opplysning' in the singular to mean 'a single piece of information.' Example: 'Dette er en viktig opplysning.'
Politiet ber om opplysninger fra publikum. (The police are asking for information from the public.)
When constructing sentences, you will often find opplysning paired with verbs like å gi (to give), å motta (to receive), å innhente (to obtain/gather), and å behandle (to process). In bureaucratic Norwegian, 'å innhente opplysninger' is the standard way to say 'gathering data.' For instance, 'Nav må innhente opplysninger om din inntekt' (Nav must gather information about your income). This sounds much more natural and professional than using 'informasjon' in a formal letter.
- Compound Words
- Norwegian loves compound nouns. You will see 'kontoopplysninger' (account details), 'helseopplysninger' (health information), and 'bakgrunnsopplysninger' (background info).
Alle opplysninger blir behandlet konfidensielt. (All information is treated confidentially.)
Another common usage is in the context of 'enlightenment' or 'education.' You might say, 'Artikkelen bidrar til økt opplysning om klimaendringer' (The article contributes to increased enlightenment/awareness about climate change). Here, the word takes on a more abstract, singular quality. It suggests a process of learning rather than just a list of facts. When using the word in this sense, it often appears without an article or in the definite singular form opplysningen. Understanding these nuances allows you to transition from basic B1 communication to the more nuanced levels of B2 and C1, where the distinction between 'data' and 'knowledge' becomes more vital.
You will hear opplysning in a variety of real-world scenarios in Norway, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. One of the most common places is on public transport. Automated announcements or customer service representatives often use the term ruteopplysning when discussing schedules and delays. If you call '1881' (the Norwegian directory service), you are calling an 'opplysningstjeneste'—a service that provides specific information like phone numbers and addresses.
- The News and Media
- News anchors frequently use the word when reporting on investigations. They might say, 'Vi har fått nye opplysninger i saken' (We have received new information in the case).
For mer opplysning, vennligst se vår nettside. (For more information, please see our website.)
In the workplace, especially in HR or administrative roles, opplysning is the standard term for employee data. During a job interview, you might be asked to verify 'opplysningene i din CV' (the information in your CV). Similarly, when dealing with the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), you are responsible for giving 'riktige opplysninger' (correct information) about your finances. The word carries a sense of officiality and accuracy that 'info' or 'beskjed' lacks.
- Educational Contexts
- In schools and universities, 'opplysning' is used when discussing historical periods or the dissemination of knowledge. 'Folkeopplysning' is a proud Norwegian tradition of adult education.
Det var en viktig opplysning som endret hele bildet. (It was an important piece of information that changed the whole picture.)
Finally, you will encounter it in legal contexts. If you are ever a witness in a court case, you are required to give 'forklaring' (explanation) based on the 'opplysninger' you have. The word implies a factual basis. Unlike 'rykte' (rumor) or 'antagelse' (assumption), an opplysning is treated as a verifiable piece of the puzzle. By paying attention to how often this word appears in official letters from the municipality (kommune) or in health brochures at the doctor's office (legekontoret), you will start to see how central it is to the flow of information in Norway.
The most frequent mistake English speakers make with opplysning is treating it as an uncountable noun. In English, we say 'some information' or 'much information.' In Norwegian, you must treat opplysning as a regular countable noun. Saying 'mye opplysning' (much information) sounds strange unless you are referring to the abstract concept of enlightenment. Instead, you should say 'mange opplysninger' (many pieces of information) or 'mye informasjon' if you want to use the loanword.
- Mistake: Countability
- Incorrect: 'Jeg har mye opplysning.'
Correct: 'Jeg har mange opplysninger' or 'Jeg har mye informasjon.'
Feil: Gi meg alle opplysning.
Riktig: Gi meg alle opplysningene.
Another common error is confusing opplysning with beskjed. A beskjed is a 'message' or a 'notification'—usually something short and actionable (e.g., 'Call me back'). An opplysning is a piece of factual information or data. If you tell someone 'I have a message for you,' use beskjed. If you say 'I have some data for your report,' use opplysning. Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion about the nature of the information being shared.
- Preposition Pitfalls
- We say 'opplysninger OM noe' (information ABOUT something). Avoid using 'av' or 'til' when 'om' is required.
Han ga uriktige opplysninger til politiet. (He gave incorrect information to the police.)
Lastly, spelling can be tricky. Beginners sometimes forget the double 'p' or the 'y' and 's' placement. Remember the verb å lyse (to shine/light up). If you can remember that opplysning is basically 'up-lighting,' you will likely spell it correctly. Also, be careful with the suffix -ning. Some learners try to use -sjon (like 'informasjon') on words where it doesn't belong. There is no such word as 'opplysasjon.' Stick to the Germanic -ning ending for this word to sound like a native speaker.
To enrich your Norwegian vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that are similar to opplysning but carry slightly different connotations. The most obvious alternative is informasjon. While informasjon is universal and can be used in almost any context, opplysning often feels more specific to individual pieces of data or formal disclosures. In academic or historical writing, opplysning is much more common when referring to the spread of knowledge.
- Opplysning vs. Informasjon
- 'Informasjon' is often the collective mass of data. 'Opplysning' is often a specific, illuminating fact.
Vi trenger mer informasjon generelt, men denne spesifikke opplysningen er avgjørende.
Other related words include data, viten, and kunnskap. Data is used specifically for raw numbers or digital information (e.g., 'stordata' for big data). Viten and kunnskap both mean 'knowledge,' but viten is often more formal or scientific, while kunnskap is the general word for what someone knows. An opplysning is a building block of kunnskap. You gather opplysninger to gain kunnskap.
- Specific Alternatives
- Use 'fakta' (facts) for indisputable points, 'detaljer' (details) for specificities, and 'melding' (message/report) for a communication of info.
Læreren ga oss opplysning om eksamen. (The teacher gave us information about the exam.)
If you are talking about 'clarification,' you might use avklaring. If you are talking about 'insight,' you use innsikt. The beauty of the Norwegian language lies in these subtle distinctions. By choosing opplysning, you are emphasizing the factual, enlightening nature of the content. Whether it is a 'personopplysning' in a database or a 'viktig opplysning' in a murder mystery, the word carries a weight of discovery. Mastering these alternatives will help you sound more precise and less like you are simply translating English thoughts into Norwegian words.
How Formal Is It?
재미있는 사실
The word perfectly mirrors the English 'enlightenment' (en-light-en) by using the concept of light to represent knowledge.
발음 가이드
- Pronouncing 'y' like an 'i' (e.g., 'opplisning').
- Making the 'o' too long like in 'open'.
- Pronouncing the 'g' at the end distinctly.
- Forgetting the double 'p' sound (short vowel before double consonant).
- Missing the 's' in the middle.
수준별 예문
Jeg trenger en opplysning.
I need a piece of information.
Singular indefinite form.
Hvor er opplysningen?
Where is the information (desk)?
Singular definite form.
Her er en viktig opplysning.
Here is an important piece of information.
Adjective 'viktig' precedes the noun.
Takk for opplysningen.
Thanks for the information.
Common way to express gratitude for facts.
Har du en opplysning til meg?
Do you have a piece of information for me?
Question structure.
Jeg ser etter opplysninger.
I am looking for information.
Plural indefinite form.
Denne opplysningen er god.
This information is good.
Demonstrative 'denne' + definite noun.
En liten opplysning: vi stenger nå.
A small piece of info: we are closing now.
Used to introduce a short fact.
Kan du gi meg noen opplysninger om bussen?
Can you give me some information about the bus?
Plural indefinite with 'noen'.
Jeg må fylle ut mine personopplysninger.
I must fill out my personal information.
Compound word: person + opplysninger.
Vi har ikke nok opplysninger ennå.
We don't have enough information yet.
Adverb 'nok' (enough) used with plural noun.
Hvor fant du disse opplysningene?
Where did you find this information?
Plural definite with 'disse'.
Opplysningen var feil.
The information was wrong.
Past tense of 'å være'.
Jeg trenger flere opplysninger om jobben.
I need more information about the job.
Comparative 'flere' for countable nouns.
Skriv ned alle opplysningene.
Write down all the information.
Imperative 'skriv' + 'alle' + plural definite.
Er dette en sikker opplysning?
Is this a reliable piece of information?
Adjective 'sikker' (sure/reliable).
Politiet trenger opplysninger fra vitner.
The police need information from witnesses.
Plural indefinite used as a general object.
Søknaden mangler viktige opplysninger.
The application is missing important information.
Verb 'å mangle' (to lack/be missing).
Du må oppgi korrekte opplysninger til banken.
You must provide correct information to the bank.
Verb 'å oppgi' (to state/provide).
Ruteopplysningen sier at toget er forsinket.
The travel info says the train is delayed.
Compound word in definite singular.
Vi behandler dine opplysninger konfidensielt.
We treat your information confidentially.
Adverb 'konfidensielt' modifying the verb.
Kan du bekrefte disse opplysningene?
Can you confirm this information?
Verb 'å bekrefte' (to confirm).
Dette er en nyttig opplysning for oss.
This is a useful piece of information for us.
Adjective 'nyttig' (useful).
Hvor kan jeg få ruteopplysning?
Where can I get travel information?
Compound word used as a concept.
Artikkelen gir en god opplysning om emnet.
The article gives good enlightenment on the topic.
Using 'opplysning' in an educational sense.
Det er viktig med folkeopplysning om helse.
Public education about health is important.
Compound word 'folkeopplysning'.
Han ble anklaget for å gi uriktige opplysninger.
He was accused of giving incorrect information.
Passive construction 'ble anklaget'.
Vi må innhente ytterligere opplysninger i saken.
We must obtain further information in the case.
Formal adjective 'ytterligere' (further).
Opplysningene er lagret i vår database.
The information is stored in our database.
Perfect participle 'lagret' (stored).
Journalisten nektet å oppgi sine kilder for opplysningene.
The journalist refused to disclose their sources for the info.
Infinitive 'å oppgi' with possessive 'sine'.
Dette er sensitive opplysninger som ikke skal deles.
This is sensitive information that should not be shared.
Relative clause 'som ikke skal deles'.
Tilleggsopplysninger finnes i vedlegget.
Additional information can be found in the attachment.
S-passive 'finnes' (is found).
Opplysningstiden la grunnlaget for det moderne demokratiet.
The Enlightenment laid the foundation for modern democracy.
Proper noun use for a historical period.
Leger har en lovpålagt opplysningsplikt i visse situasjoner.
Doctors have a statutory duty to inform in certain situations.
Compound word 'opplysningsplikt'.
Det er avgjørende at opplysningene er verifiserbare.
It is crucial that the information is verifiable.
Adjective 'verifiserbare' in plural.
Han ga en utfyllende opplysning som klargjorde situasjonen.
He gave a comprehensive piece of info that clarified the situation.
Adjective 'utfyllende' (comprehensive/supplementary).
Retten vurderte troverdigheten av opplysningene.
The court assessed the credibility of the information.
Noun 'troverdigheten' (the credibility).
Opplysningene må ses i lys av den historiske konteksten.
The information must be seen in light of the historical context.
Idiomatic expression 'i lys av'.
Selskapet ble bøtelagt for brudd på opplysningsplikten.
The company was fined for breach of the duty to inform.
Genitive-like construction 'brudd på'.
Vi har iverksatt tiltak for å sikre korrekte opplysninger.
We have implemented measures to ensure correct information.
Present perfect 'har iverksatt'.
Diskursen preges av et behov for gjensidig opplysning.
The discourse is characterized by a need for mutual enlightenment.
Abstract noun use in academic discourse.
Opplysningene ble fremlagt med en viss grad av forbehold.
The information was presented with a certain degree of reservation.
Passive 'ble fremlagt' and 'forbehold' (reservation).
En slik opplysning kan virke destabiliserende på markedet.
Such a piece of information can have a destabilizing effect on the market.
Present participle 'destabiliserende' as adjective.
Forfatteren søker å forene tro og opplysning i sitt verk.
The author seeks to unite faith and enlightenment in their work.
Contrast of abstract concepts.
Det foreligger motstridende opplysninger om hendelsesforløpet.
There are conflicting reports about the sequence of events.
Adjective 'motstridende' (conflicting).
Opplysningens dialektikk er et sentralt verk i filosofien.
The Dialectic of Enlightenment is a central work in philosophy.
Definite singular genitive.
Denne opplysningen er unntatt offentlighet.
This information is exempt from public disclosure.
Legal phrase 'unntatt offentlighet'.
Man må skille mellom rådata og foredlede opplysninger.
One must distinguish between raw data and processed information.
Adjective 'foredlede' (refined/processed).
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
— Used in ads or notices to mean 'for further details.'
For nærmere opplysning, kontakt oss på telefon.
— Based on the information currently available.
Etter de foreliggende opplysninger er situasjonen stabil.
— To withhold information.
Det er ulovlig å holde tilbake opplysninger for retten.
— New developments or facts in a case.
Det har kommet nye opplysninger i saken i natt.
— Information that is private or restricted.
Helseopplysninger er sensitive opplysninger.
관용어 및 표현
— To be revealed or published (related to the 'light' theme of opplysning).
Sannheten så endelig dagens lys.
Literary— To finally understand something (often religious or sudden insight).
Etter mange år så han endelig lyset.
Informal— To suddenly realize something.
Det gikk opp et lys for meg da han forklarte det.
Idiomatic— To make someone or something look bad.
Saken stilte ham i et dårlig lys.
Neutral— To be uninformed (antonym concept).
Jeg er helt i det mørke når det gjelder dette.
Informal— To hide one's talents or knowledge.
Du må ikke sette ditt lys under en skjeppe.
Literary/Biblical어휘 가족
명사
동사
형용사
관련
암기하기
기억법
Think of 'Opp' as 'Up' and 'Lys' as 'Light'. An 'opplysning' is when someone turns the 'light up' so you can see the facts.
시각적 연상
Imagine a dark room where someone flips a switch. The light (lys) reveals all the objects (information) inside.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to find three different 'opplysninger' in a Norwegian news article today and write them down.
어원
From the Norwegian prefix 'opp-' (up) and the verb 'å lyse' (to shine/light), followed by the noun-forming suffix '-ning.'
원래 의미: The original meaning was literally 'to light up' or 'to illuminate' a room or area.
Germanic. Cognate with Danish 'oplysning' and Swedish 'upplysning.' Similar in structure to German 'Aufklärung.'문화적 맥락
Be careful with 'personopplysninger' (GDPR); Norwegians value privacy highly.
English speakers often over-rely on 'informasjon' because it sounds like English. Using 'opplysning' makes your Norwegian sound more authentic and varied.
Summary
The word 'opplysning' is the standard Norwegian term for a piece of information or data. Unlike the English 'information,' it is countable. It bridges the gap between simple facts and the grand concept of enlightenment.
- Opplysning means information or a piece of data.
- It is a countable noun (en opplysning, flere opplysninger).
- It can also refer to the Enlightenment historical period.
- Commonly used in official, legal, and educational contexts.
관련 콘텐츠
academic 관련 단어
aksentuere
C1to accentuate or emphasize
altså
B1그러므로, 즉.
anerkjenne
B1인정하다, 승인하다. 공식적인 지위나 가치를 인정할 때 주로 사용됩니다.
anliggende
C1a matter or concern of importance
anse
B1to consider or regard
anslag
C1추정치 또는 근사치. 주로 금융이나 통계 맥락에서 사용됩니다. 예: '예산 추정치가 현실적이었다.'
anvende
B1특정 문맥에서 방법이나 규칙을 적용하는 것.
argument
B1A reason or set of reasons for an idea
argumentere
B2주장하다(argumentere)는 어떤 견해를 뒷받침하기 위해 이유를 제시하는 것을 의미합니다. 논리와 사실을 사용하여 타인을 설득하는 과정입니다.
artikkel
B1An article in a newspaper or journal