flydende

Flydende is a Danish adjective with two primary senses. It describes something that can flow or exist in liquid form, as in liquids and substances that move easily. This sense covers materials like water, oil, or other fluids, and in broader use may describe anything that behaves like a liquid or that is not solid. The term is also used in technical contexts, for example in computing to denote floating-point numbers, where flydende komma refers to a floating decimal representation.

In a figurative sense, flydende is used to describe language ability. When someone is fluent in a language, Danish speakers commonly say that they are flydende i et sprog, such as flydende i dansk eller flydende i engelsk. The word thus conveys ease and proficiency rather than a strict measurement of skill. Flydende can also appear in phrases relating to economics or finance, such as flydende valutakurs, meaning a floating or flexible exchange rate system, as opposed to a fixed rate.

Etymology and usage notes: Flydende derives from the verb flyde, meaning to float or to flow. The -ende suffix forms a present participle or an adjective, linking the sense of liquid flow to both physical liquids and metaphorical fluidity of skills or systems. In everyday Danish, the word is versatile and commonly applied to describe both tangible liquids and abstract concepts like language fluency or flexible monetary policies.

See also: flyde; flydende komma; flydende sprog; flydende valutakurs.