Setningen

Setningen is the definite form of setning in Norwegian and refers to two main senses: a unit of language and a judicial punishment. In linguistics, setningen denotes a grammatical unit that expresses a complete thought and is designed to convey information or request, command, or emotion. In everyday use, it is the building block of written and spoken Norwegian.

In the linguistic sense, a setning typically contains a finite verb and follows a preferred word order, often described as subject–verb–object in declarative sentences. Norwegian setninger can be simple (a single clause), compound (two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions), or complex (a main clause containing one or more subordinate clauses). The main clause is known as a hovedsetning, while subordinate clauses are bisetninger. Norwegian allows various sentence types, including declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamative forms, with punctuation playing a key role in signaling tone and structure.

In legal use, setningen means a sentence or punishment imposed by a court after a conviction. This sense covers ranges such as imprisonment, fines, community service, or probation, and may be subject to appeal or adjustment as part of the judicial process.

Etymologically, setning derives from the verb setja (to set or place) and has historically carried the sense of arrangement or articulation, which aligns with both the linguistic and legal meanings. The term is standard in Norwegian dictionaries and educational material.