Ensom

Ensom is an adjective used in Danish and Norwegian to describe a lack of companionship or a sense of isolation. In both languages, it can qualify people, animals, places, or situations perceived as lonely or solitary. The English equivalents are “lonely” and “solitary.”

Etymology and status: Ensom is a native Scandinavian word. In Danish, the corresponding noun is ensomhed; in Norwegian, ensomhet. These nouns form from the adjective ensom with typical derivational suffixes, marking the abstract quality of loneliness.

Usage: The term appears in everyday speech, literature, journalism, and media when describing emotional states or physical isolation. It is commonly used with personal nouns: “en ensom mann” (a lonely man), “ensomhet i byen” (loneliness in the city). In both languages, ensom can describe people, objects, or places that feel isolated or detached.

Cultural and linguistic notes: Ensom often conveys a nuanced emotional tone, spanning personal feelings to social critique. It is closely related to its noun forms, which are widely used in speeches, poetry, and reporting. The word should not be confused with ensō, a separate symbol in Zen Buddhism, which has a different meaning and cultural context.