døende

Døende is the present participle of the Norwegian verb dø, meaning to die. It functions as an adjective describing someone who is in the process of dying, for example in phrases like en døende pasient or den døende mannen. It can also be used as a noun in some contexts, particularly in medical or caregiving settings, where en døende refers to a person who is dying.

In Bokmål the common form is døende. In Nynorsk, the corresponding form is døyande, reflecting the standard Nynorsk spelling for the verb døy (to die) and the present participle suffix. Both forms convey the same basic idea, with usage typically tied to describing end-of-life situations.

Etymology traces dø from the Norwegian verb dø, which has Old Norse roots related to death. The present participle døende or døyande thus conveys ongoing state or process—being in the act of dying.

Usage notes and contexts: døende is widely used in clinical, palliative, and end-of-life discussions, as well as in literary contexts to convey the final stage of life. The term is neutral but can be sensitive in everyday speech, so its use often depends on the setting and audience.

See also: palliativ omsorg (palliative care), terminal sykdom, end-of-life care, and related discussions of mortality and dying.