efterleve

Efterlevende is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to describe a person who has survived someone who has died. In everyday language it is most often seen in obituaries and formal or legal contexts, where the surviving spouse or other close relative is referred to as the etterlevende. The phrase “den efterlevende” or “den etterlevende ektefelle” translates roughly to “the surviving [spouse/relative].” The concept can also apply to anyone who outlives the deceased.

Etymology and variants: the word is formed from the prefix etter- meaning after or following, combined with leve or levende, meaning to live. Spelling varies by language: Danish uses etterlevende, while Norwegian typically uses etterlevende or etterlevende ektefelle in legal and civil texts. In Swedish, a closely related term is efterlevande, used in similar contexts to denote someone who survives another.

Usage and scope: etterleve is most common in formal writing, obituaries, and law, where the status of a person as a survivor can affect inheritance rights, social benefits, or responsibilities. The concept emphasizes the temporal relation between the death and the living survivor. It is less common in casual speech, where phrases like “the surviving spouse” or “the one who outlived” are more likely.

Related terms: akin to “surviving spouse” or “survivor” in English, and to legal phrases describing heirs and succession. The precise rights and definitions of who counts as etterlevende can vary by country and legal context.