Nøle

Nøle is a Norwegian verb meaning to pause or hesitate before acting, deciding, or giving an answer. It can refer to a momentary indecision in thought as well as to a cautious approach in carrying out an action. The term is commonly used in everyday speech and in written Norwegian, particularly in more formal or reflective contexts.

In usage, nøle often appears when describing hesitation about a decision or response. Common collocations include nøle med å gjøre noe (to hesitate to do something) and nøle med å ta en beslutning (to hesitate about making a decision). It can also describe slower, careful movement or speech, such as nøle før man rekker fram hånden eller nøle i svaret.

Grammatically, nøle is a finite, regular verb in Bokmål. Present tense is nøler (jeg nøler, du nøler, han nøler, vi nøler, dere nøler, de nøler). The preterite is nølte (jeg nølte), and the supine or past participle is nølt, used with have/had to form perfect or pluperfect tenses (har nølt, hadde nølt). The imperative form is nøl.

Example sentences:

- Jeg nøler litt før jeg svarer på spørsmålet.

- Hun nølte da tilbudet ble presentert.

- Han nølte med å ta avgjørelsen, men til slutt svarte han ja.

Nøle is sentimentally neutral but often conveys prudence, caution, or reluctance. It contrasts with more decisive verbs and is frequently used when the speaker wants to emphasize deliberation or hesitation rather than certainty. Related expressions include nølende (hesitant) and å ta seg tid, which expresses taking time to decide.