Utgjøre

Utgjøre is a Norwegian verb meaning to constitute, to make up, or to amount to. It is used to express that a part of a whole forms a specific share or that something represents a certain quantity or proportion. The term is transitive and commonly appears with a direct object describing what is forming the whole, often followed by a phrase such as av [the whole].

Etymology and cognates: Utgjøre is formed from the prefix ut- meaning out or up and the verb gjøre meaning to do or make. This construction is mirrored in other Scandinavian languages, with Danish udgøre and Swedish utgöra sharing the same core meaning of constituting or comprising.

Usage and forms: The infinitive is å utgjøre. In present tense the form is utgjør; in the past tense utgjorde; the past participle is utgjort, used in perfect constructions such as har utgjort. A typical structure is utgjøre + tall/verdi + av + helhet, for example, "utgjør 40 prosent av befolkningen." Utgjøre emphasizes the resulting share or amount, rather than simply listing components as in bestå av (to consist of). It can also occur in passive-like phrases such as bein utgjort av, meaning the population is made up of.

Examples: Dette utgjør fem hundre millioner kroner. I Norge utgjør ungdom 15–24 år 15 prosent av befolkningen. Befolkningen er utgjort av kvinner og menn.

See also: bestå av, representere, and related terms for expressing proportions and composition.