Hjelpene

Hjelpene is the definite plural form of the Norwegian noun hjelp, meaning assistance or aid. It is used to refer to multiple acts of help, multiple sources of support, or different types of aid, depending on the context. In everyday Norwegian, hjelpen (the definite singular) is common when speaking about help in general, while hjelpene serves to specify several distinct helps.

Grammatical notes and usage: hjelp is a common-gender noun. The indefinite singular is hjelp, the definite singular hjelpen, and the definite plural hjelpene. The plural form helps distinguish several instances or kinds of aid rather than a single, undifferentiated aid. For example, one might say, “Jeg fikk mye hjelp,” meaning I received a lot of help, and, in a context where multiple distinct forms of aid are discussed, “de ulike hjelpene jeg fikk fra ulike instanser var nyttige” (the different helps I received from various agencies were useful).

Etymology and related terms: hjelp derives from Old Norse hjálp, and has cognates in other North Germanic languages, such as Swedish hjälp and Danish hjælp. The English word help shares a common Indo-European root with these terms. In Norwegian, hulp is used both in everyday language and in formal or bureaucratic writing to refer to assistance, support, or services provided to someone in need.

See also: assistance, aid, support.