Avslappe

Avslappe is a Norwegian verb that means to ease, loosen, or relax something, such as rules, measures, or physical tension. It can refer to the relaxation of restrictions or the reduction of pressure, as well as to physically loosening muscle or tension in a more general sense. For personal relaxation, however, the common phrasing is to use the inseparable form slappe av, which means to unwind or rest.

Usage and nuance

Intransitive use with personal relaxation is typically expressed with slappe av, not avslappe. Avslappe is usually used in a transitive sense, where something external is being made less strict or stringent. Examples include easing regulations, relaxing enforcement, or loosening requirements. Example sentences: Regjeringen besluttet å avslappe de strenge reglene. Tiltakene ble avslappet midlertidig i påvente av evaluering. Etter en lang arbeidsdag prøvde han å avslappe skuldrene og puste dypt.

Etymology and related forms

Avslappe is formed with the prefix av- meaning away or off, combined with slappe, meaning to slacken or loosen. The word is commonly contrasted with slappe av, the more frequent expression for personal relaxation. In contexts involving people, slappe av is preferred; in contexts involving rules, measures, or enforcement, avslappe is the typical choice.

See also

Slappe av, which covers personal relaxation and unwinding; related phrases include easier or looser regulations, for example avslappe regler or avslappet regler in context.

Overall, avslappe functions mainly in contexts where governance, safety, or standards are being made less strict, while everyday, personal relaxation remains expressed by slappe av.