beskjed

Beskjed is a Norwegian noun meaning a message, notice, or instruction transmitted from one person or authority to another. It covers informal notes as well as formal directives or announcements. Common phrases include gi en beskjed and få beskjed.

Grammatical notes: beskjed is a common gender noun. Indefinite singular is en beskjed; definite singular is beskjeden; indefinite plural is beskjeder; definite plural is beskjederne. The term is commonly used to refer to a direct message or instruction, and it is often contrasted with melding, which can have a broader or more general sense of information.

Etymology and cognates: The word is cognate with Danish besked and Swedish besked, all deriving from a common Germanic root meaning notice or information. In contemporary Norwegian, beskjed remains the standard word for a message or instruction and is widely used in everyday speech, workplaces, and official contexts. In some contexts, melding or varsel may be used with slightly different nuances.

Usage context: In official or organizational settings, beskjed can denote commands or directives issued by authorities, for example a workplace notification or an official advisory. In everyday communication, it refers to short messages, reminders, or instructions received or conveyed between individuals. In digital communication, one might say “send en beskjed” in messaging apps or email to indicate sending a message.