detaljen

Detaljen is the definite singular form of the noun detalj in Norwegian and Danish, where it means a single part or aspect of something, i.e., a detail. The term is used across many domains, including design, journalism, research, and everyday language, to refer to a smaller element within a larger whole. It contrasts with a focus on the overall picture or summary.

In Norwegian Bokmål, the standard forms are: detalj (indefinite singular), detaljen (definite singular), detaljer (plural), and detaljene (definite plural). In Danish, the corresponding forms are detalje (indefinite singular), detaljen (definite singular), detaljer (plural), and detaljerne (definite plural). The common use in both languages is similar: detaljen denotes a specific detail that has been identified or is being discussed in context.

Etymology traces the word to the French détai l, meaning “particulars” or “a small piece,” with the term entering Scandinavian languages through historical contact with French and shared Germanic borrowings. The English word detail shares a common lineage with this term.

See also: detail (in other languages), detalje, detaljen in related Scandinavian varieties. Examples of usage include phrases like “se på detaljen” (look at the detail) or “denne detaljen er viktig” (this detail is important). Overall, detaljen functions as a precise reference to a specific component within a broader topic or object.