Nævne

Nævne is a Danish verb meaning to name, mention, or reference someone or something. It is used when introducing a person, listing items, or designating a person for a role. The infinitive is at nævne; present tense forms include nævner, past tense nævnte, and the participles nævnt (past participle). The word is distinct from related nouns such as navn (name) and nævn (a committee or panel).

Etymology and cognates: Nævne derives from Old Norse nefna, and is cognate with Norwegian nevne and Icelandic nefna. The lineage traces to a common Germanic root connected with naming and mentioning. In Danish, the verb has long been used in both everyday and formal language, with its meaning centered on the act of naming or referring to something or someone.

Usage and context: In ordinary speech, nævne is used to refer to mentioning people, places, or items in a list or conversation. In formal or administrative contexts, it can appear in phrases such as “at nævne en kandidat” (to name a candidate) or in documents that enumerate individuals or elements. The term can also be found in dictionaries and instructional texts as a standard example of a transitive verb.

Ambiguity and distinctions: Danish speakers should distinguish nævne from nævn (the noun meaning a committee) and from navn (name). Although similar in spelling, they function as different parts of speech with separate meanings.

See also: navn (name), nævn (committee), nefna (Old Norse form and cognates).