Risikere

Risikere is a verb used in Danish and Norwegian Bokmål that means to expose oneself to danger or to undertake a risk. In English this corresponds to the verb to risk. The word is commonly found in everyday speech as well as in technical or formal writing, including discussions of risk assessment, risk management, and safety procedures. The related noun risiko (or risikо) denotes the concept of risk itself.

Etymology and cognates: Risikere is part of a family of words connected to the English risk and the noun risiko in Scandinavian languages. The term has been influenced by other European languages through the shared concept of risk and hazard, with the verb form adapting the common infinitive ending -ere found in many borrowed verbs. The root conveys the idea of exposing something to potential loss, harm, or danger.

Conjugation and usage: In Danish, the present tense is risikerer, the past tense risikerede, and the past participle risikeret (e.g., Har de risikeret noget?). In Norwegian Bokmål, the infinitive is å risikere; present tense is risikerer, past tense risikerte, and past participle risikert. The verb lends itself to a variety of constructions, including whether someone risks something (to risk a loss, a injury) or expressions that describe risk-taking behavior. Common collocations include risk-related phrases such as risk assessment, risk management, and group or individual risk.

Context and nuances: Risikere can describe deliberate risk-taking as well as unavoidable exposure to danger. In professional contexts, it often appears alongside nouns like risiko, vurdering, and håndtering to discuss evaluating and mitigating potential losses or harms. The nuance depends on modality, subject matter, and whether the risk is intentional or incidental.