Fortryder

Fortryder is a Norwegian verb meaning to regret or feel remorse about something one has done or not done. The word is used to express remorse for past actions, statements, or decisions, and appears in both spoken and written Norwegian. The present tense form is fortryder, as in Jeg fortryder valget mitt.

In usage, fortryder often introduces clauses that explain what is regretted, for example Jeg fortryder at jeg sa det. The verb can combine with a direct object or a clause to convey the scope of the regret. The past tense and participial forms vary by dialect and standard variety, so speakers may use different constructions to express completed regret or counterfactual reflections in different regions.

Etymology and cognates: fortryder belongs to the Germanic language family and has cognates in other Scandinavian languages. Danish uses fortryde with a similar meaning, while Icelandic has a related form fortryða. In Norwegian, the form retains a prefix pattern common to several Germanic verbs, contributing to its recognizability across dialects.

Usage context: fortryder is a neutral, commonly used term for remorse in everyday language, journalism, and literature. It can express mild regret or strong remorse, depending on tone and context, and it is often contrasted with angre, another Norwegian verb for regret in some contexts.