Besvarelse

Besvarelse is a Norwegian noun that denotes an answer, reply, or response to a question, task, or document. The term is used across several domains, most notably in education, law, and administrative correspondence. A besvarelse can be verbal or written, depending on the context.

Etymology and usage: Besvarelse is formed from the verb besvare, meaning to answer, with the suffix -lse turning the verb into a noun. In Norwegian, the term is closely related to Danish besvarelse and is widely understood in Norwegian-speaking contexts.

In education: A besvarelse refers to a student’s answer to an exam question or assignment. It is typically assessed and graded, and may be submitted as a skriftlig besvarelse (written answer) or presented as a muntlig besvarelse (oral answer). Criteria for a good besvarelse include relevance to the prompt, completeness, logical structure, and substantiation of claims, sometimes with references or explanations.

In law and administration: A besvarelse is a formal written response to a petition, claim, or administrative notice. In civil proceedings, the respondent’s besvarelse to a complaint outlines admissions, denials, and defenses. Such a response usually has deadlines and prescribed formats, and its content can influence subsequent procedures and rulings.

In everyday use: Besvarelse can also refer to a reply to a letter or inquiry from a company, institution, or public authority, for example within a specified besvarelsefrist (response deadline). The term emphasizes the formal or task-specific aspect of responding.

In summary, besvarelse designates a structured response to a prompt or document, with nuances tied to the formalities of education, law, or administration.