Føremål

Føremål is a Norwegian noun, most commonly used in Nynorsk, meaning the purpose, aim, or intended use of something. It denotes the reason for doing something, or the function a thing is meant to fulfil. The term is often found in formal, administrative, and policy-related contexts.

In practice, føremål is used to describe what a project, law, or device intends to achieve or how it should be used. The phrase føremålet med … is common, translating roughly to “the purpose of …” or “the aim of …” For example, Føremålet med lova er å sikre forbrukartryggleik. Føremålet med prosjektet er å redusere utslepp. Verktøyet har føremålet å måle temperatur.

Føremål is closely related to formål, the Bokmål equivalent, and to other terms such as hensikt and intensjon. While føremål emphasises the practical or normative reason behind something, mål (goal) often refers to a concrete target or outcome. In many texts, føremål and formål are used interchangeably depending on the language standard (Nynorsk vs Bokmål).

Etymology is not always spelled out in everyday usage, but the concept is central to planning, law, and communication. Clear statements of føremål help clarify expectations, guide decision-making, and justify actions or resources.

In summary, føremål denotes the intended function or aim behind actions, policies, or objects, and is a key term in formal Norwegian writing, especially in Nynorsk contexts. It functions alongside related terms to articulate why something exists or is undertaken.