Tilgodet

Tilgodet is a term found in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages, primarily used in formal, legal, and accounting contexts. In contemporary everyday Norwegian, the two-word phrase til gode is more common when referring to a credit, balance, or entitlement owed to someone. The single-word form tilgodet appears mainly in older texts, administrative documents, or in fixed legal phrasing, where it denotes a credit, benefit, or entitlement in favor of a party.

Etymology and usage

Tilgodet derives from a construction meaning “to the benefit” or “to the good,” aligning with related expressions in neighboring languages. In practice, tilgodet can refer to a quantity of money, services, or other entitlements that are credited to a person or organization. Because til gode is the standard modern form, tilgodet is more likely to be encountered in historical documents or bureaucratic language.

In finance and law

In accounting or financial records, the more common concept is til gode (a credit balance or amount owed to a customer or client). In legal and administrative texts, tilgodet may appear in phrases indicating a ruling or settlement favorable to a party, or as a formal label for a credited entitlement in a case or contract.

See also

Til gode, tilgodehavende, kreditt, overbetaling.

Note

For everyday usage, til gode is the preferred form in Norwegian. Tilgodet is primarily of historical or formal interest and may be encountered in archived records or official terminology.