Fiksjonell

Fiksjonell is a Norwegian adjective used to describe something that belongs to fiction or is imagined rather than real. It is applied to characters, settings, plots, or works that are invented by writers, filmmakers, or other creators. The term emphasizes fictional status and is commonly used in discussions of literature, film, television, and other storytelling media.

Etymology and usage are straightforward: fiksjonell derives from the noun fiksjon (fiction), which in turn traces to Latin fictio via historical intermediaries such as Old French fiction. The suffix -ell forms an adjective meaning “pertaining to” or “characteristic of” the noun.

In practice, fiksjonell is used to distinguish fictional elements from factual ones. In literary criticism, media analysis, and education, it helps indicate that a character, event, or setting is not real. In journalism or documentary contexts, the term may appear when describing fictionalized portions of a narrative or when clarifying that certain details are part of a invented storyline rather than verified facts.

Related terms include fiktiv, which in Norwegian often denotes something that is fictitious or not real, and fiksjon, the noun for fiction. While related, fiksjonell typically emphasizes the relationship to fiction as a genre or category rather than simply not being true.

Examples of use include: a fiksjonell karakter i en roman; en fiksjonell historie fortalt som roman eller film; eller en fiksjonell verden i et videospill.