Nedgående

Nedgående is a Norwegian adjective used to describe something that moves downward, decreases, or trends toward lower values. It is commonly applied to physical direction as well as to processes and phenomena that are in decline. The term can function both attributively (en nedgående trend) and predicatively (trenden er nedgående).

Etymology and form: nedgående is formed from the prefix ned- meaning down or toward the bottom, combined with the present participle suffix -ende, producing a compound adjective that denotes ongoing movement or tendency. The word is used in both Bokmål and Nynorsk and appears in a range of formal and informal styles.

Usage and examples: Nedgående describes downward movement or decline in various contexts. Common uses include economic or statistical trends, such as en nedgående trend i salg, or a decreasing value, like en nedgående kurs for aksjer. It can also describe physical directions, for example en nedgående bakke or en nedgående helling in a slope. In journalism and technical writing, nedgående often conveys that a metric or quantity is headed lower over time, emphasizing trajectory rather than a single point.

Nuance: Nedgående is closely related to synkende and fallende, but it often emphasizes ongoing movement toward lower values rather than a single moment of decline. The choice between these terms can depend on style, register, and the specific nuance the writer wishes to convey.

See also: synkende, fallende, nedtur.