Vartannat

Vartannat is a Norwegian term meaning every other or alternating, used to describe items, events, or actions that occur in a repeating sequence. It is commonly employed when selecting every second element from a series or when describing patterns that alternate.

In practice, vartannat can appear as a compound form or in two-word constructions such as hvert annet. It is widely used in everyday language as well as in formal writing. Examples include phrases like vartannat ord i setningen (every other word in the sentence) or vi møtes hvert annet år (we meet every other year). The two-word variant is especially common in more formal contexts, while the single-word form is frequent in contemporary writing.

Etymologically, vartannat is a compound built from vart (each) and annat (the neuter form of annen, meaning other). The result expresses an alternation: one item, then another, in a regular pattern. The expression can be paired with various nouns to indicate frequency or selection, such as ord (words), år (years), eller utvalg (selection).

Notes on usage: vartannat is typically used with singular nouns in the neuter form and often appears in instructional or descriptive text. The related two-word construction (hvert annet) is functionally equivalent and may be preferred in certain registers. Both forms communicate the same idea of alternation, and choice between them often follows stylistic or regional preferences.