Forutsigbart

Forutsigbart is a Norwegian adjective used to describe something that can be foreseen or anticipated based on available information, patterns, or previous experience. It is commonly applied to events, developments, behavior, or outcomes that follow identifiable regularities, making them capable of being predicted to some degree. The related noun is forutsigbarhet, which denotes the quality or state of being predictable.

Etymology and form: the adjective is formed from the verb forutse, meaning to foresee, combined with the suffix -bar, which signals capability. The opposite form is uforutsigbart, meaning unpredictable, and the related adjective for the state is uforsigbarhet or uforutsigbarhet depending on usage.

Usage: forutsigbart is widely used in journalism, economics, science, and everyday language. In risk assessment and planning, high forutsigbarhet is valued because it supports informed decision-making and stable expectations. The term can describe natural phenomena with clear patterns, planned processes, or policy environments where rules and conditions are transparent. In contrast, uforutsigbar is used to highlight uncertainty, volatility, or unknown factors that hinder reliable forecasts.

Examples:

- Værmeldingen for de neste dagene er relativt forutsigbar, så vi kan planlegge utendørs aktiviteter.

- Investeringene ble gjort under antagelsen om en forutsigbar markedsutvikling.

- Politikken fokuserer på å øke forutsigbarhet og stabilitet i regelverket.

See also: forutsigbarhet, uforutsigbar, uforutsigbarhet.