Betydning

Betydning is a Norwegian noun that denotes meaning or significance. In everyday language, it refers to what a word, phrase, or statement conveys, while in linguistics it describes the semantic content or sense of a term. The word can also express importance or consequence in a given situation, as in “Dette har stor betydning.”

Etymology and usage context: betydning is formed from the verb betyde, meaning to signify or denote, with the noun-forming suffix -ing. The concept has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Danish betydning and Swedish betydelse.

In semantics, betydning is often distinguished from related notions such as mening (sense of a statement, intention, or opinion) and konnotasjon (connotation). Betydning can refer to denotation or the core sense of a term, while konnotasjon captures the associated ideas or evaluative overtones that accompany it.

Applications: The term is standard in dictionaries, language education, and scholarly writing, as well as in public discourse. Examples include questions like “Hva er betydningen av dette ordet?” or statements such as “Denne oppgaven har stor betydning for prosjektet.” Different forms exist, such as betydningsfull (significant) and betydningsløs (meaningless).

In broader contexts, betydning appears in philosophy, linguistics, and information science when discussing how words and symbols convey information, reference, and interpretation.