Oppmerksomme

Oppmerksomme is a Norwegian adjective meaning attentive, mindful, or vigilant. It describes someone who actively notices details, is considerate of others, or pays close attention to a situation. The term is used for people, groups, or behaviors that display a high level of attention.

The base form is oppmerksom, with oppmerksomme serving as the plural form used for masculine or mixed-gender nouns in the indefinite plural and in predicative phrases: for example, "De var oppmerksomme" meaning "They were attentive." The related adverb is oppmerksomt, as in "han så oppmerksomt rundt seg" (he looked around attentively). The noun form is oppmerksomhet, meaning attention or awareness.

Etymology: oppmerksomme is built from the prefix opp- (up, toward) and the adjective merksom, which means mindful or aware. The combination conveys a sense of heightened attention or consideration. The concept is closely tied to the broader idea of awareness in Norwegian, expressed in related terms such as oppmerksomhet and være oppmerksom.

Usage: Oppmerksomme commonly appears in everyday language and in formal writing to describe people, groups, or attitudes characterized by attentiveness. Examples include oppmerksomme lærere (attentive teachers), et oppmerksomt publikum (an attentive audience), or å være oppmerksom på detaljer (to be attentive to details). It can also contrast with uoppmerksom (inattentive) or likegyldig (indifferent), though nuance matters in context.

See also: oppmerksomhet; være oppmerksom; merksom.