Gjemmer

Gjemmer is a Norwegian verb meaning to hide or conceal, used for both hiding objects and hiding oneself. It originates from Old Norse and is cognate with related Scandinavian forms such as Danish gemme and Swedish gömma, reflecting a common Germanic root for concealment. In Bokmål, the present tense form is gjemmer and is used with all subject pronouns: jeg gjemmer, du gjemmer, han gjemmer, vi gjemmer, dere gjemmer, de gjemmer.

The infinitive is å gjemme, the past tense is gjemte, and the supine is gjemt. The perfect tense is formed with har gjemt or hadde gjemt, for example, “han har gjemt boka” (he has hidden the book). The imperative is gjem.

Gjemmer can take a direct object, as in "å gjemme noe" (to hide something), or be used reflexively as "å gjemme seg" (to hide oneself). Common constructions include "å gjemme noe bort" (to hide something away) and "å gjemme seg bak noe" (to hide behind something). The nuance often centers on everyday concealment, whereas the related verb skjule more frequently emphasizes deliberate or intentional concealment to avoid exposure.

In usage, gjemmer appears in spoken Norwegian, literature, and instructional contexts, and it is versatile across registers. It can convey practical hiding (a letter in a drawer) as well as more figurative concealment (truth or motives).