bekreftelse

Bekreftelse is a Norwegian noun that refers to the act of confirming or verifying something, as well as to a document that confirms a fact, status, or agreement. It denotes acknowledgment that a statement is true, that an event has occurred, or that an obligation has been fulfilled. The term is used across many fields to signal verification, acknowledgment, or certification.

Etymology and usage

Bekreftelse derives from the verb bekrefte, meaning to confirm. The word is ultimately related to older Germanic roots reflected in similar cognates in other Scandinavian languages and English (confirm). In Norwegian, bekreftelse is the nominal form that denotes both the act of confirming and the resulting document or certificate.

Contexts and examples

In everyday life, bekreftelse often refers to confirmations such as enrollment in a course, receipt of payment, or an appointment. In business and administration, it appears in correspondence that acknowledges orders, deliveries, or changes of status (for example, a bekreftelse of receipt or a bekreftelse of enrollment). In legal and financial settings, bekreftelse can denote formal attestations or certificates that certify a fact or entitlement, such as an employment bekreftelse or a proof of address. In digital and IT contexts, bekreftelse is used for identity verification or authentication, such as bekreftelse av identitet when confirming a user’s identity. In religious contexts, the sacramental rite is typically called konfirmasjon rather than bekreftelse, though the term bekreftelse may appear in broader discussions of confirmation of faith.

Synonyms and related terms include attest, bevis, and erklæring, depending on the context. The concept emphasizes verification, acknowledgement, and formal certification.