Konfirm

Konfirm is a stem found in several Germanic languages used to express the act of confirming or establishing something, and it appears in terms for rites of initiation as well as in everyday usage. In Danish and Norwegian, the related noun forms denote a ceremony, such as konfirmation in Danish and konfirmasjon in Norwegian, while the verb forms use the konfirm- stem in their conjugations. The term ultimately derives from Latin confirmare, through medieval Latin and Old French, and it has cognates across several European languages.

In religious contexts, konfirmation (Danish) and konfirmasjon (Norwegian) refer to the rite of confirmation, a ceremonial pledge that marks a person’s formal membership in the church. The practice is common in Lutheran and some Anglican traditions, typically undertaken in adolescence. The ceremony often includes instruction, vows, and a public declaration of faith or commitment. The prominence and manner of the rite vary by country, denomination, and local tradition, with some communities retaining a strong devotional role and others placing greater emphasis on secular or nonreligious alternatives.

In secular usage, konfirm means to confirm, verify, or establish something as true or valid. It is used in contexts such as confirming a reservation, a statement, or a decision. In English, the direct equivalent is to confirm, while many European languages share cognate forms that reflect the common Latin origin of the word.

See also: confirmation, konfirmasjon, konfirmation.

---