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B2 verb 9 min read

avvikle

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips avvikle in 30 Seconds

Explanation avvikle in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'avvikle' yourself. It is a bit too advanced for basic greetings and shopping. However, you might see it on a sign if a small shop is closing down forever. For now, just remember that if you see 'avvikle', it means 'to close' or 'to finish' something big, like a business. It is much more formal than the word 'stopp' (stop) or 'slutt' (end). If you are at a shop and see a sign saying 'Butikken avvikles', it means the shop is having a closing-down sale and will not open again. You can think of it as a 'big goodbye' for a business. Don't worry about using it in your own sentences yet; 'slutte' or 'stenge' (to close) are much more useful for you right now. Just recognize that it is a formal word about ending things.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to understand more about work and daily life in Norway. 'Avvikle' might appear in emails from your employer, especially when they talk about 'ferie' (vacation). In Norway, taking your vacation is a right and a duty, and the boss will 'avvikle ferien' for the staff. This just means they are managing the schedule so everyone gets their time off. You might hear: 'Når skal du avvikle ferie?' (When are you going to take your vacation?). You can also see this word in the news when a local project or a small company is ending. It is a step up from 'slutte' because it sounds more like a plan. If you use it, people will think your Norwegian is quite good! Just remember: use it for business, shops closing, or scheduling vacations. For simple things like finishing a meal, stick to 'bli ferdig'.

At the B1 level, you should begin to use 'avvikle' in professional contexts. If you work in Norway, you will definitely encounter this word in meetings and official documents. It is the correct word to use when you are discussing the 'winding up' of a project or the liquidation of a company. It implies a process. For example, if a project is finishing, you don't just 'slutte' it; you 'avvikler' it by writing the final reports and finishing the tasks. It is also very common in the context of 'avvikling av dødsbo' (settling an estate after someone dies). This is a formal process that involves many steps. Using 'avvikle' shows that you understand the difference between a simple stop and a managed conclusion. You should also be comfortable using the noun form 'avvikling' (liquidation/winding up). It's a key word for anyone looking to work in a Norwegian office or read the business section of a newspaper.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of 'avvikle' compared to its synonyms like 'legge ned', 'oppløse', and 'avslutte'. You should know that 'avvikle' implies an orderly, procedural conclusion. It is the standard term in commercial law and administration. For instance, when a government decides to stop a specific social program, they will 'avvikle ordningen'. This suggests a transition period where the old system is phased out. You should also be able to use it in more abstract logistical senses, such as 'avvikle trafikken' (managing/clearing traffic flow). At this level, you should feel confident using 'avvikle' in both writing and speaking to maintain a professional register. You understand that it is a transitive verb and can use it in various tenses, including the passive 'avvikles', which is very common in formal reports and news media to describe ongoing processes without focusing on the actor.

For C1 learners, 'avvikle' is a versatile tool for precise communication. You should be able to use it to discuss complex socio-economic topics, such as the 'avvikling av velferdsstaten' (the dismantling of the welfare state) or the 'avvikling av fossile energikilder' (the phasing out of fossil fuels). You understand the etymological connection to 'winding' and can appreciate how this metaphor applies to unwinding complex legal or social structures. You are also aware of its use in the context of 'ferieavvikling' as a specific administrative task within human resources. Your use of the word should reflect an awareness of tone; you know that using 'avvikle' instead of 'legge ned' can sound more clinical, objective, and less politically charged. You can also use it in creative ways to describe the orderly conclusion of any large-scale human endeavor, showing a high level of stylistic control over the Norwegian language.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'avvikle' and all its subtle implications. You can navigate the legal, financial, and metaphorical uses of the word with ease. You might use it in a philosophical discussion about the 'avvikling av gamle tradisjoner' (the winding down of old traditions) or in a high-level legal debate about the nuances between 'avvikling' and 'konkurs' (bankruptcy). You understand that 'avvikling' is a voluntary or managed process, whereas 'konkurs' is often forced. You are also capable of recognizing and using the word in rare or idiomatic contexts, and you can distinguish it from very similar terms like 'utfase' or 'sanere' based on the specific context of the industry (e.g., urban planning vs. corporate law). Your command of the word allows you to use it to set a specific professional or academic tone, ensuring your Norwegian is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

avvikle in 30 Seconds

Avvikle means to bring something to an orderly end, like liquidating a business or finishing a project.
It is a formal word used in professional, legal, and administrative contexts rather than casual ones.
Commonly used for 'taking' vacation (avvikle ferie) or 'managing' traffic flow (avvikle trafikk).
It implies a process of winding down rather than an abrupt or sudden stop.

The Norwegian verb avvikle is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe the process of bringing something to a structured conclusion. While it can be translated as 'to close down' or 'to wind up,' it carries a connotation of orderliness and procedural completion. Unlike 'avslutte' (to finish) or 'stoppe' (to stop), avvikle implies a series of steps taken to dismantle an organization, a project, or a long-term arrangement. It is the 'unwinding' of a spool that was previously wound up.

Business Context: In the corporate world, this word is the standard term for liquidating a company or closing a branch. It suggests that debts are being paid, assets are being sold, and contracts are being terminated in a legal and organized fashion.

Styret har bestemt seg for å avvikle driften innen utgangen av året.

Beyond business, you will encounter avvikle in the context of events and logistics. When a large festival or a sporting event concludes, the physical infrastructure and the administrative tasks must be 'avviklet'. This involves cleaning up, paying staff, and finalizing reports. It is not just about the moment the music stops, but the entire process of returning the site to its original state.

Political Usage: Politicians often use this term when discussing the phasing out of subsidies, old laws, or public institutions. It sounds more professional and less aggressive than 'fjerne' (remove) or 'slette' (delete).

Regjeringen planlegger å avvikle den gamle støtteordningen for fossilt brennstoff.

In everyday speech, you might hear it regarding vacations or schedules. To 'avvikle ferie' means to take or carry out one's planned vacation time. This usage is slightly more formal than just saying 'ha ferie', emphasizing the management of time and resources within a workplace setting. It suggests that the vacation is a task to be processed within the annual cycle.

Legal and Formal Tone: The word is heavily utilized in legal documents and official reports. If a household is being dissolved after a death (dødsbo), the process of distributing assets is called 'avvikling'.

Det tok nesten to år å avvikle alle forpliktelsene i kontrakten.

In summary, avvikle is the go-to word for 'winding down' with intent and structure. Whether it is a business closing its doors, a government ending a program, or an individual managing their holiday leave, the word implies a transition from an active state to a completed, closed state through a deliberate process.

Using avvikle correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. You 'avvikler' something—a business, a meeting, a vacation, or a project. In this section, we will look at the various grammatical environments where this word thrives.

The Business Termination Pattern: The most common sentence structure involves a company or organization as the object. Here, the word describes a permanent shutdown.

De måtte avvikle butikken på grunn av manglende lønnsomhet.

Notice how the sentence focuses on the 'why' and the 'what'. You can also use the passive form 'avvikles' to indicate that the process is happening to the subject without emphasizing who is doing it. This is very common in news headlines.

Fabrikken skal avvikles i løpet av neste kvartal.

The Event Management Pattern: When referring to events, 'avvikle' means to conduct or carry out the final stages of the event. It covers the smooth running and the subsequent wrap-up.

Arrangøren klarte å avvikle maratonløpet uten store problemer.

In this context, it is almost synonymous with 'gjennomføre' (to carry out), but with a specific focus on the logistical completion. If a concert is 'avviklet', it means it was held and finished as planned.

The Personal Schedule Pattern: When talking about vacations (ferie) or time off (avspasering), 'avvikle' is the professional way to say you are using up your allotted time.

Jeg må avvikle tre uker ferie før september.

This sounds like you are managing your obligations. It implies that the vacation is something that needs to be 'processed' through the system. It is less about the joy of the holiday and more about the administrative fact of taking it.

Phasing Out Policies: In political or organizational contexts, you 'avvikler' a scheme or a system. This suggests a gradual ending rather than an abrupt stop.

Vi skal gradvis avvikle bruken av papirskjemaer.

By adding adverbs like 'gradvis' (gradually) or 'fullstendig' (completely), you can fine-tune the speed and nature of the conclusion. This makes 'avvikle' a very flexible tool for describing transitions in any professional setting.

You won't often hear avvikle in a casual conversation between friends at a bar, but it is ubiquitous in professional, media, and administrative environments. Understanding where this word lives will help you recognize the register of the conversation.

Financial News and Newspapers: If you read 'Dagens Næringsliv' or 'E24', you will see this word daily. Headlines about companies going bankrupt or merging often use 'avvikle' to describe the closing of redundant departments.

Mange småbedrifter ble tvunget til å avvikle under pandemien.

In these contexts, the word carries a weight of finality and often a sense of economic necessity. It is the polite, clinical way of saying a business has failed or is no longer needed.

Workplace Meetings: In an office, your boss might talk about 'avvikling av ferie' (scheduling/taking of vacation) or 'avvikling av prosjektet' (wrapping up the project). It is the language of management.

Når kan du avvikle resten av feriedagene dine?

When a project reaches its end, the 'avviklingsfase' (wrap-up phase) begins. This involves archiving documents, releasing resources, and conducting final evaluations. If you hear this at work, it means the main work is done, and it's time to tidy up the loose ends.

Legal and Probate Proceedings: When someone passes away, their estate (bo) must be 'avviklet'. This is a formal legal process. Lawyers and family members will use this word to describe the selling of the house, the distribution of inheritance, and the closing of bank accounts.

Advokaten hjalp familien med å avvikle dødsboet.

Finally, you'll hear it in the context of traffic and public transport. If a large event causes traffic jams, the police might talk about how they will 'avvikle trafikken' (handle/clear the traffic). Here, it means to process the flow of cars until the congestion is gone. It's about moving things through a system until the task is complete.

Because avvikle has several nuances, it is easy for learners to use it in the wrong context or confuse it with similar-sounding words. Let's look at the most common pitfalls.

Confusing 'Avvikle' with 'Avlyse': 'Avlyse' means to cancel something before it starts. 'Avvikle' means to conclude something that is already in progress or exists. You don't 'avvikle' a meeting if it never happened; you 'avlyser' it.

Feil: Vi måtte avvikle konserten fordi sangeren var syk. (Should be 'avlyse')

If you say you 'avviklet' the concert, it implies the concert actually took place and you managed the final stages of it. If the concert never happened, 'avlyse' is the only correct choice.

Overusing it in Casual Contexts: While you can 'avvikle ferie', you wouldn't 'avvikle en middag' (wind up a dinner) with friends. It sounds overly bureaucratic and cold. For social endings, use 'avslutte' or 'dra hjem'.

Unaturlig: Skal vi avvikle festen nå? (Better: Skal vi avslutte festen nå?)

Confusing 'Avvikle' with 'Utvikle': Because they look similar, learners sometimes swap them. 'Utvikle' means to develop or build up. 'Avvikle' is the opposite—to dismantle or wind down. Confusing these two in a business meeting could lead to significant misunderstandings about the company's future!

Vi må utvikle (build) nye ideer, ikke avvikle (dismantle) dem.

Finally, avoid using 'avvikle' for physical objects like 'winding' a watch. While the etymology comes from 'winding', the modern usage is almost exclusively abstract or procedural. You don't 'avvikle' a ball of yarn; you 'vikler den ut'.

To master Norwegian, you need to know when to choose avvikle over its synonyms. Each word has a specific flavor and context.

Avvikle vs. Legge ned

Legge ned: This is the most common way to say 'close down' for a business or school. It feels more direct and sometimes more emotional.

Avvikle: This is more technical and formal. It focuses on the process of liquidation and settling affairs.

De skal legge ned skolen. (Simple fact)
De skal avvikle driften ved skolen. (Formal/Administrative)

Avvikle vs. Avslutte

Avslutte: A general word for 'to finish' or 'to end'. You avslutter a book, a conversation, or a day.

Avvikle: Reserved for complex entities or logistical processes. You wouldn't 'avvikle' a sentence, but you would 'avvikle' a large-scale project.

Avvikle vs. Oppløse

Oppløse: Means 'to dissolve'. Used for marriages, political parties, or chemical substances.

Avvikle: Focuses on the winding down of activities. A company is 'avviklet' (its activities end) so that it can be 'oppløst' (legally dissolved).

Etter at selskapet ble avviklet, ble det formelt oppløst.

Other alternatives include fase ut (to phase out), which is great for gradual endings, and stoppe (to stop), which is much more abrupt. Choosing the right word depends on whether the end is a process (avvikle), a sudden halt (stoppe), or a legal change (oppløse).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Det er besluttet å avvikle selskapets virksomhet i Norge."

Neutral

"Vi må avvikle ferien før året er omme."

Informal

"De skal avvikle butikken på hjørnet."

Child friendly

"Nå skal vi rydde bort leken og avvikle leketiden."

Slang

"Nå er det på tide å avvikle dette showet."

Fun Fact

It is the direct opposite of 'utvikle' (to develop/unfold). While 'utvikle' is about growth, 'avvikle' is about the orderly reversal of that growth.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɑːv.vɪk.lə/

US /ˈɑv.vɪk.lə/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'AV-'.

Rhymes With

utvikle innvikle oppvikle trikle vrikle strikle fikle sikle

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'av-vick-el' (English style).
Missing the double 'v' sound.
Over-emphasizing the final 'e'.
Mixing it up with 'avlyse'.
Confusing the 'v' with a 'w' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in newspapers and work emails.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of formal register.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation is tricky with the double 'v'.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 'av-' prefix.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

slutte stenge ferie bedrift av

Learn Next

konkurs oppløsning forpliktelse likviditet styre

Advanced

prokura insolvens gjeldsordning avviklingsbalanse

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs

Jeg avvikler (verb) butikken (object).

Passive Voice with -es

Butikken avvikles (is being closed down).

Compound Nouns

Ferie + avvikling = ferieavvikling.

Infinitive with 'å'

Det er tid for å avvikle.

Past Participle as Adjective

Et avviklet selskap.

Examples by Level

Butikken skal avvikle.

The shop is closing down.

Present tense, formal use.

De må avvikle driften.

They must close down the business.

Modal verb 'må' + infinitive.

Når skal de avvikle?

When are they closing down?

Question form.

Vi avvikler i morgen.

We are closing down tomorrow.

Present tense used for future action.

Selskapet ble avviklet.

The company was closed down.

Passive voice (past tense).

Det er slutt, vi må avvikle.

It is over, we must wind up.

Simple sentence structure.

De vil avvikle alt.

They want to wind up everything.

Modal verb 'vil' + infinitive.

Avvikling er trist.

Closing down is sad.

Noun form (gerund-like usage).

Jeg skal avvikle ferie i juli.

I am going to take my vacation in July.

Common workplace phrase.

Vi må avvikle prosjektet nå.

We have to wind up the project now.

Transitive use with 'prosjektet'.

De avviklet butikken forrige uke.

They closed the shop last week.

Past tense 'avviklet'.

Hvordan skal vi avvikle dette?

How are we going to wind this up?

Interrogative with 'hvordan'.

Han hjelper til med å avvikle.

He is helping to wind things up.

Infinitive with 'å'.

De planlegger å avvikle skolen.

They are planning to close the school.

Infinitive phrase.

Ferieavviklingen starter snart.

The vacation scheduling starts soon.

Compound noun 'ferieavvikling'.

Det er mye å avvikle her.

There is a lot to wind up here.

Existential 'det er'.

Styret vedtok å avvikle selskapet.

The board decided to liquidate the company.

Formal business context.

Vi må avvikle restlageret først.

We must clear out the remaining stock first.

Logistical context.

Det tar tid å avvikle et dødsbo.

It takes time to settle an estate.

Legal context.

De avviklet arrangementet på en god måte.

They handled the conclusion of the event well.

Adverbial phrase 'på en god måte'.

Ordningen skal gradvis avvikles.

The scheme will be gradually phased out.

Passive with auxiliary 'skal'.

Har du avviklet all ferien din?

Have you used up all your vacation?

Present perfect tense.

De valgte å avvikle samarbeidet.

They chose to end the collaboration.

Abstract object 'samarbeidet'.

Avviklingen av fabrikken tok ett år.

The closing down of the factory took one year.

Noun form 'avviklingen'.

Regjeringen vil avvikle subsidier til kull.

The government wants to phase out coal subsidies.

Political/Economic context.

Det er viktig å avvikle kontrakten korrekt.

It is important to terminate the contract correctly.

Adverb 'korrekt' modifying the verb.

Politiet måtte avvikle trafikken etter ulykken.

The police had to clear the traffic after the accident.

Logistical/Traffic context.

Selskapet er under avvikling.

The company is in the process of liquidation.

Prepositional phrase 'under avvikling'.

Vi må avvikle gamle systemer før vi innfører nye.

We must retire old systems before introducing new ones.

Contrast between 'avvikle' and 'innføre'.

De klarte å avvikle krisen uten tap.

They managed to resolve the crisis without losses.

Crisis management context.

Hvordan skal vi avvikle forpliktelsene våre?

How shall we settle our obligations?

Formal term 'forpliktelsene'.

Han ble leid inn for å avvikle avdelingen.

He was hired to wind down the department.

Purpose clause with 'for å'.

En kontrollert avvikling er bedre enn konkurs.

A controlled liquidation is better than bankruptcy.

Noun usage with adjective.

De diskuterer avvikling av pelsdyrnæringen.

They are discussing the phasing out of the fur industry.

Socio-political context.

Det kreves nøyaktighet for å avvikle et bo.

Accuracy is required to settle an estate.

Passive 'kreves'.

Avviklingen av kolonistyret var en lang prosess.

The dismantling of colonial rule was a long process.

Historical/Political context.

Vi må se på hvordan vi kan avvikle dette på en verdig måte.

We must look at how we can end this in a dignified manner.

Nuanced adverbial phrase 'på en verdig måte'.

Det er juridiske hindre for å avvikle avtalen.

There are legal obstacles to terminating the agreement.

Legal terminology.

Prosessen med å avvikle datterselskapet er i gang.

The process of winding up the subsidiary is underway.

Complex noun phrase.

De søker å avvikle alle former for diskriminering.

They seek to abolish all forms of discrimination.

Abstract, high-level goal.

Avviklingen av det gamle paradigmet tok tiår.

The dismantling of the old paradigm took decades.

Academic/Philosophical context.

Man må vurdere de samfunnsmessige konsekvensene av å avvikle tilbudet.

One must assess the societal consequences of terminating the service.

Formal 'man' and complex vocabulary.

Beslutningen om å avvikle ble møtt med stor motstand.

The decision to wind up was met with great resistance.

Passive construction 'ble møtt med'.

Selskapets avviklingsstyre ble oppnevnt i går.

The company's liquidation board was appointed yesterday.

Specialized legal term 'avviklingsstyre'.

Det er en hårfin balanse mellom å omstille og å avvikle.

There is a fine balance between restructuring and winding down.

Comparative structure with 'mellom'.

Avvikling av gjeld er første skritt mot økonomisk frihet.

Settling debt is the first step toward financial freedom.

Financial context.

De maktet ikke å avvikle de komplekse strukturene i tide.

They were unable to dismantle the complex structures in time.

Verb 'makte' (to manage/be able).

En fullstendig avvikling av sanksjonene er nært forestående.

A complete lifting of the sanctions is imminent.

Diplomatic/Political context.

Common Collocations

avvikle driften

avvikle ferie

avvikle et dødsbo

avvikle et selskap

avvikle trafikken

avvikle et prosjekt

avvikle en ordning

gradvis avvikle

fullstendig avvikle

avvikle restlageret

Common Phrases

Under avvikling

— Currently in the process of being closed down.

Firmaet er under avvikling.

Planmessig avvikling

— A planned and structured conclusion.

Vi gjennomfører en planmessig avvikling.

Avvikling av gjeld

— The process of paying off all debts.

Avvikling av gjeld er prioritert.

Ferieavvikling

— The administrative task of managing vacations.

Ferieavviklingen gikk fint i år.

Tvungen avvikling

— Forced liquidation by authorities.

Selskapet ble meldt til tvungen avvikling.

Kontrollert avvikling

— Ending something under strict control.

De foretrekker en kontrollert avvikling.

Avvikling av tiltak

— Ending specific measures or restrictions.

Vi ser på avvikling av koronatiltakene.

Rask avvikling

— A quick conclusion to a process.

Vi håper på en rask avvikling av saken.

Avvikling av leieforhold

— Ending a rental agreement.

Her er reglene for avvikling av leieforhold.

Bistå ved avvikling

— To help during the closing process.

Advokaten skal bistå ved avvikling.

Often Confused With

avvikle vs avlyse

Avlyse is to cancel before something starts; avvikle is to end something already in progress.

avvikle vs avslutte

Avslutte is a general 'to end'; avvikle is more procedural and formal.

avvikle vs utvikle

Utvikle means to develop (grow); avvikle means to wind down (end).

Idioms & Expressions

"å vikle seg ut av"

— To extract oneself from a difficult situation (related root).

Han prøvde å vikle seg ut av løgnen.

Informal

"å legge årene inn"

— To give up or stop (metaphor from rowing).

Etter 40 år valgte han å legge årene inn og avvikle.

Metaphorical

"å kaste kortene"

— To give up (from card games).

De valgte å kaste kortene og avvikle driften.

Informal

"å sette kroken på døra"

— To close down for good.

Nå er det slutt, de har satt kroken på døra.

Informal

"å pakke sammen"

— To pack up and leave/finish.

Det er på tide å pakke sammen og avvikle.

Neutral

"å gjøre opp boet"

— To settle the accounts/estate.

De holdt på med å gjøre opp boet etter faren.

Formal

"å fase ut"

— To gradually end something.

Vi må fase ut de gamle maskinene.

Neutral

"å trekke seg ut"

— To withdraw from a project or business.

Investoren valgte å trekke seg ut.

Neutral

"å gå i dvale"

— To go into hibernation (stop activity temporarily).

Selskapet skal ikke avvikles, bare gå i dvale.

Metaphorical

"å rydde opp"

— To clean up (often used before closing).

Vi må rydde opp i økonomien før vi avvikler.

Neutral

Easily Confused

avvikle vs oppløse

Both involve ending a company.

Oppløse is the legal act of dissolution; avvikle is the physical and financial winding down.

Vi må avvikle butikken før vi kan oppløse selskapet.

avvikle vs nedlegge

Both mean close down.

Nedlegge is more common for physical locations (schools/factories); avvikle is more common for legal/financial entities.

De skal nedlegge skolen.

avvikle vs ferdigstille

Both involve finishing.

Ferdigstille means to complete something positive (a building/report); avvikle means to wind something down.

Vi må ferdigstille rapporten før vi avvikler prosjektet.

avvikle vs avskrive

Both involve ending a financial commitment.

Avskrive is to write off a debt or asset; avvikle is to end the whole operation.

De måtte avskrive gjelden da de avviklet.

avvikle vs utfase

Both involve ending.

Utfase is gradual and usually refers to products or technologies; avvikle is more administrative.

Vi skal utfase gamle modeller.

Sentence Patterns

Jeg skal avvikle [noe].

Jeg skal avvikle ferie.

De valgte å avvikle [noe].

De valgte å avvikle butikken.

[Noe] skal avvikles i løpet av [tid].

Driften skal avvikles i løpet av året.

En [adjektiv] avvikling av [noe].

En kontrollert avvikling av prosjektet.

Beslutningen om å avvikle [noe] ble [verb].

Beslutningen om å avvikle tilbudet ble sterkt kritisert.

Det er behov for å avvikle [noe].

Det er behov for å avvikle ordningen.

Som ledd i å avvikle [noe]...

Som ledd i å avvikle avdelingen, må vi si opp ansatte.

[Noe] er under avvikling.

Selskapet er under avvikling.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional contexts; low in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Vi må avvikle møtet i dag. → Vi må avlyse møtet i dag.
If the meeting didn't happen, use 'avlyse'. If you are finishing a meeting that is currently happening, use 'avslutte'.
Jeg skal vikle av ferien. → Jeg skal avvikle ferien.
The prefix must be 'avvikle', not 'vikle av'.
Selskapet ble avlyst. → Selskapet ble avviklet.
You don't 'cancel' a company; you 'wind it up' or 'liquidate' it.
Han avviklet middagen med kjæresten. → Han avsluttet middagen med kjæresten.
Too formal for a romantic or social setting.
Vi må utvikle butikken (when you mean close it). → Vi må avvikle butikken.
Utvikle means to grow/develop. Avvikle means to close down.

Tips

Check the Object

Always make sure 'avvikle' has an object. You don't just 'avvikle'; you 'avvikle' something like a shop or a plan.

Workplace Hero

Use this word in your performance reviews when talking about wrapping up projects. It sounds very professional.

Estate Planning

If you are dealing with inheritance in Norway, 'avvikling av dødsbo' is the term you will need to know for all the paperwork.

Opposite Day

Remember 'utvikle' (develop) and 'avvikle' (wind down) as a pair. They are the yin and yang of Norwegian business.

Don't be a Robot

Avoid using 'avvikle' for social events like parties or dates unless you want to sound like a cold bureaucrat.

Ferie-Check

When your boss asks about your summer plans, say 'Jeg skal avvikle ferie i uke 30'. It shows you know the workplace lingo.

Headline Helper

When you see 'avvikles' in a headline, it's passive. Something is being closed down by someone else.

Add 'Gradvis'

Combine 'avvikle' with 'gradvis' to describe a slow, careful phasing out of something old.

Yarn Trick

Visualize unwinding a ball of yarn. That's the etymological heart of the word.

No Cancellations

Don't say 'avvikle' for a meeting that was cancelled due to rain. That's 'avlyse'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'wick' (vikle) on a candle. To 'avvikle' is to 'take away' (av) the fire and the wick's job—to finish the candle's purpose.

Visual Association

Imagine a large spool of yarn being slowly and neatly unwound until nothing is left. That is 'avvikling'.

Word Web

Business Vacation Liquidation End Process Legal Traffic Phase-out

Challenge

Try to use 'avvikle' in a sentence about your next holiday instead of using 'ta ferie'.

Word Origin

From the prefix 'av-' (off/away) and the verb 'vikle' (to wind or wrap). It literally means 'to unwind'.

Original meaning: To unwind something that was wound up, like a spool of thread.

Germanic (Old Norse/Middle Low German influence).

Cultural Context

Be careful using this word when talking to someone whose business is failing; it is professional but can feel very final and cold.

In English, we say 'wind up' or 'liquidate'. 'Avvikle' is broader and covers both the technical liquidation and the simple act of taking a holiday.

Used frequently in NRK news headlines regarding company closures. Common in the 'Brønnøysundregistrene' (the Norwegian business register) documents. Found in historical texts about the 'avvikling' of the union with Sweden in 1905.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Closing a business

avvikle driften
oppløse selskapet
avviklingsstyre
sluttoppgjør

Workplace/Vacation

avvikle ferie
ferieplan
avspasering
overføre ferie

Legal/Probate

avvikle dødsbo
arveoppgjør
skifte
loddeier

Logistics/Traffic

avvikle trafikk
flyt
kø
dirigering

Politics

avvikle ordning
utfasing
subsidier
vedtak

Conversation Starters

"Når planlegger du å avvikle ferien din i år?"

"Har du hørt at de skal avvikle den lokale bokhandelen?"

"Hvordan synes du vi bør avvikle dette prosjektet?"

"Er det vanskelig å avvikle et selskap i Norge?"

"Hvorfor tror du de valgte å avvikle ordningen så raskt?"

Journal Prompts

Beskriv en gang du måtte avvikle noe viktig i livet ditt.

Hva er fordelene med en planmessig avvikling sammenlignet med en brå slutt?

Hvordan ville du gått frem for å avvikle en bedrift hvis du var sjefen?

Reflekter over 'ferieavvikling'. Hvorfor er det så viktig i norsk arbeidskultur?

Tenk på en gammel vane du vil avvikle. Hvordan skal du gjøre det?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Nei, det høres veldig rart og formelt ut. Bruk heller 'avslutte middagen' eller 'dra fra middagen'. 'Avvikle' brukes nesten bare om profesjonelle prosesser.

En 'avvikling' kan være frivillig og planlagt fordi man vil slutte. En 'konkurs' er vanligvis ufrivillig fordi man ikke har penger til å betale gjeld.

Det er et fast uttrykk i arbeidslivet. Det betyr at du 'gjennomfører' eller 'bruker opp' feriedagene dine som planlagt.

Det er et svakt verb. Det bøyes: avvikle - avvikler - avviklet - har avviklet.

Nei, det ville bety at du likviderer dem i en kriminell forstand. Man avvikler bare ting, organisasjoner eller prosesser.

Det betyr at prosessen med å stenge ned har startet, men den er ikke ferdig ennå. For eksempel en butikk som har opphørssalg.

Det er vanlig på jobb, men ikke når du snakker med venner om private ting (bortsett fra ferie).

Substantivet er 'avvikling'. For eksempel: 'Avviklingen av selskapet tok lang tid'.

Ja, det betyr å få trafikken til å flyte slik at køen forsvinner. Politiet gjør ofte dette ved ulykker.

Nesten. 'Avskaffe' brukes ofte om å fjerne lover eller skikker (f.eks. avskaffe slaveriet), mens 'avvikle' er mer administrativt.