Hjelpen

Hjelpen is the definite form of the Norwegian noun hjelp, meaning "the help" or "the aid." It comes from the verb hjelpe ("to help") and is used widely in Norwegian to refer to assistance provided by people, institutions, or services. The form hjelpen is used when the help in question is specific or already known to both speaker and listener.

In everyday language, hjelpen can denote practical support (such as medical, financial, or social assistance) or the services offered by public bodies or charities. Common expressions include nødhjelp (emergency aid), å få hjelpen man trenger (to receive the help one needs), and hjelpen fra kommunen (the help from the municipality). The word is appropriate in formal and informal contexts and is found in public discourse, welfare services, and journalism.

Across the Nordic languages, cognate words exist: Swedish hjälpen and Danish hjælpen carry similar meaning and usage, reflecting shared linguistic roots. Although "hjelpen" is primarily Norwegian, the concept of structured aid is a common feature of welfare states in the region.

Some charitable organizations adopt "Hjelpen" as part of their name to signal aid services, and the term may appear in NGO programs, helplines, or community support initiatives. In all uses, hjelpen denotes a known or specified act of assistance, rather than aid in general.