øyeblikkelig

øyeblikkelig is a Norwegian adjective and adverb meaning immediate or instantaneous. It describes actions, responses, or situations that occur without delay or that require prompt action. Common phrases include øyeblikkelig hjelp (immediate assistance) and øyeblikkelig reaksjon (instant reaction).

Origin and form: The word comes from øyeblikk, meaning "moment," combined with the suffix -lig, giving a sense of "of a moment" or "characteristic of a moment." In usage it can modify nouns, as in en øyeblikkelig handling, or function as an adverb, as in han svarte øyeblikkelig.

Usage notes: It is widely used in formal and everyday Norwegian, especially in medical, safety, and emergency contexts, but it also appears in general language to stress urgency. It is a close synonym of umiddelbar (immediate) and umiddelbart (immediately), though each carries its own nuance and typical collocations.

Example sentences: Situasjonen krevde øyeblikkelig handling. Han svarte øyeblikkelig da nødsignalet gikk ut. Behandlingen må gis øyeblikkelig for å minske risikoen.

See also: øyeblikk (moment), umiddelbarhet, umiddelbart.