Hensiktsmessig

Hensiktsmessig is a Norwegian adjective that describes something as appropriate for a particular purpose, or well-suited to achieve a stated goal. The term is commonly used in everyday speech as well as in planning, design, policy, and public administration to signal that a solution, measure, or action is practical, functional, and mindful of constraints such as time, resources, and context.

Etymology and sense: hensikt means intention or purpose, and the suffix -smessig forms adjectives indicating something’s relation to or suitability for that purpose. The word is used in both Bokmål and Nynorsk and is widely understood in formal and informal contexts. It carries a pragmatic nuance, emphasizing usefulness and alignment with aims rather than aesthetic appeal.

Usage and contexts: Hensiktsmessig is used to assess decisions, plans, or behaviors that are fit for purpose. It often appears in discussions of efficiency, cost-benefit, and feasibility, where the focus is on attaining objectives in a reasonable way. It can describe environments, processes, or tools, for example a hensiktsmessig løsning (a suitable solution) or hensiktsmessig ressursbruk (efficient use of resources). The term is common in both professional and everyday language and can be contrasted with less appropriate or over-engineered alternatives.

Examples: It is hensiktsmessig å bruke enkle og robuste løsninger i feltet. Dette er en hensiktsmessig plan som tar hensyn til budsjett og tidsramme. Ikke alle tiltak er hensiktsmessige; noen kan være kostbare uten å bidra vesentlig til målet.

Related terms: passelig, passende, formålstjenlig, fornuftig. Antonymiske uttrykk fokuserer ofte på mangel på relevans eller ineffektivitet.