Uoprigtig

Uoprigtig is a Danish adjective meaning not sincere, lacking genuineness or honesty. It is used to describe statements, expressions, or motives that come across as feigned or deceitful. The term carries a negative evaluation and is often stronger than simply saying someone is not truthful, emphasizing insincerity rather than factual accuracy.

Origin and form: The word is formed by adding the negating prefix u- to oprigtig (sincere). This productive pattern is common in Danish for creating opposites and is used across different adjectives to convey a similar sense of denial or opposition.

Usage and nuance: Uoprigtig is more common in written Danish and formal speech, such as journalism, literary criticism, or political commentary, though it can appear in everyday language when the speaker wishes to condemn a person’s motives or rhetoric. It typically signals disapproval of motives or the tone of a statement rather than simply labeling someone as dishonest.

Examples:

- Et uoprigtigt løfte. (An insincere/premeditatedly dishonest promise.)

- Den uoprigtige tale gjorde indtrykket af forrådt skepsis. (The insincere speech left an impression of distrust.)

See also: oprigtig, uægte sproglig vurdering som uærlighed eller uoprigtighed i dansk. For related terms, see oprigtig (sincerity) and insincerity concepts in Danish usage.