Pretensjon

Pretensjon is a Norwegian noun that denotes a formal claim or assertion of entitlement, often used in legal or argumentative contexts. It can refer to either the act of claiming something or the claim itself. In legal settings, pretensjon describes a party’s asserted right or demand in a dispute, such as a pretensjon om erstatning (claim for damages) or a pretensjon om eierskap (claim of ownership). In philosophy and everyday argumentation, pretensjon can denote a proposition presented as true and used as the basis for reasoning, typically requiring justification or evidence.

Etymology: the term derives from Latin praetensionem, via Old French pretension, linked to the verb praetendere “to put forward, claim.” Modern Norwegian usage retains that sense of presenting something as due or as true.

Usage notes: pretensjon is a neutral term. In legal drafting, it characterizes a formal assertion to be resolved by a court or arbitration. In general speech, it can simply mean an assertion or claim about a fact, situation, or entitlement. The words påstand (claim or assertion) and krav (demand or entitlement) are related but carry different nuances; pretensjon sits between a legal assertion and a broader claim in argumentation.

See also: påstand, krav, rettslig krav, eierskap.