Einfald

Einfald is a term found in several North Germanic language traditions, used to describe something that is simple, plain, or uncomplicated. In various contexts it can refer to objects, concepts, or expressions that are easy to understand. When applied to people, it can carry a sense of naivety or unsophistication, depending on tone and context.

Etymology and cognates are not uniformly fixed across languages, but the term is generally linked to older Germanic roots that convey the idea of “one” or “single” in combination with a notion of folding, layer, or arrangement. This has given rise to related forms in related languages, where the meaning centers on simplicity or lack of complexity, though exact spellings and nuances vary by dialect and century.

Modern status varies by language and region. In many contemporary Danish and Norwegian varieties, the everyday words for “simple” are enklet or enkelt, and terms with the exact form einfald are often considered archaic, regional, or found chiefly in older texts or poetry. In Icelandic, Swedish, and other North Germanic languages, related roots survive in forms that may express simplicity or naivety with distinct connotations. Because of these variations, einfald is typically encountered as a historical or dialectal term rather than a standard synonym in everyday speech.

See also: North Germanic languages, simple, naive.