Lønsomme

Lønsomme is an adjective used in Danish and Norwegian to describe something that yields profit or is financially advantageous. The sense is close to the English term profitable or lucrative and is commonly used in discussions about investments, projects, or ventures that are expected to generate a positive financial return.

Etymology and related forms: the word derives from a root related to wages or pay (løn/lønning) combined with a suffix indicating a quality, roughly translating to “worthy of wages.” Related noun forms include lønsomhed in Danish and lønnsomhet in Norwegian, both referring to profitability or lucrativeness.

Usage and grammar: lønsom describes a singular noun, while lønsomme is used with plural nouns (for example, lønsomme virksomheder means profitable companies). The adverb form is lønsomt, meaning in a profitable or advantageous manner. The term is common in business writing, financial analysis, and policy discussions, where profitability is a key criterion for evaluating proposals or strategies.

Context and nuance: while lønsom is generally neutral, it is typically applied to ventures with a favorable expected return and manageable risk. It can be used descriptively (a lønsom investment) or prescriptively in planning (aiming for lønsomhet in a project). The concept is closely related to profitability, return on investment, and cost-benefit analysis.

See also: profitability, cost-benefit analysis, return on investment, Danish and Norwegian business vocabulary.