Uafhængige

Uafhængige is a Danish adjective and, in some contexts, a noun phrase meaning independent or unaffiliated. The term denotes lack of dependency on or affiliation with a group, organization, or controlling authority. It can describe people, organizations, actions, or states that operate without external control or alignment with a political party, interest group, or parent institution. In everyday language it may refer to individuals who run for office without party backing, as in “uafhængige kandidater.” It is also used to indicate impartiality, as in “en uafhængig undersøgelse” (an independent/neutral investigation).

Grammar and usage: “uafhængige” is the plural form of the adjective, and is used before plural nouns, and in the definite form with a noun. The related noun “uafhængighed” means independence, while “uafhængigt” functions as an adverb.

Etymology and variants: the word derives from the negating prefix “u-” attached to “afhængig” (dependent). It has been in use in Danish since at least the 19th century and shares cognates with Norwegian “uavhengig/uavhengige.”

Contexts and related terms: in political discourse, the term often refers to candidates or representatives who are not aligned with any party. Related terms include uafhængighed (independence) and uafhængigt (adverbial form). Cross-linguistic cognates exist in other Scandinavian languages, such as Norwegian, which uses forms like “uavhengige” for the plural.