anständig

Anstændig is an adjective used in Danish and Norwegian to describe something that is properly performed, morally acceptable, and fitting to the circumstances. It can refer to a person’s character (en anstændig mand), behavior (anstændig opførsel), or to things such as income or housing regarded as decent (en anstændig løn, et anstændigt hjem). The adverb form is anstændigt, meaning decently or properly. The term carries positive connotations of respectability and propriety, but it can also be used critically to contrast with indecent or improper behavior.

In usage, anstændig describes what is socially considered appropriate, neither excessive nor deficient. It is common in formal and everyday language. In legal or administrative contexts you may encounter phrases like “anstændige forhold” to denote decent or proper conditions, or “have the decency to” as a calque in some expressions.

Etymology and cognates: The word is a native Germanic formation and is cognate with the German anständig, as well as closely related forms in Swedish and Norwegian forms such as anständig/anstendig. The core sense across these languages centers on propriety, decency, and social respectability, linking language and social norms.

See also: decency, propriety, modesty, ordentlig, rimelig.