forholdsvis

Forholdsvis is a Norwegian adverb used to express that something is true to a certain degree when compared with a reference point. It translates roughly as "relatively" or "in terms of relation." The term is common in both written and spoken Norwegian and is used to qualify adjectives and adverbs to indicate proportion or degree.

Etymology: The word combines forhold ("relation, condition") and vis ("in the manner of; -wise"), a productive suffix in Norwegian that forms adverbs indicating a manner or degree. The construction signals that the described quality is not absolute but measured against something else.

Usage and nuance: It is typically placed before an adjective, an adjective phrase, or an adverb to soften or qualify it: "forholdsvis stor" (relatively large), "forholdsvis få deltakere" (relatively few participants), "forholdsvis raskt" (comparatively fast). It is common in journalism, analysis, and academic writing. The distinction from "relativt" is subtle: "forholdsvis" emphasizes comparison to a specific reference point, while "relativt" may be more about the general degree of comparison.

Examples: Forholdsvis mange elever bestod eksamen. Regionene viser forholdsvis store forskjeller i arbeidsledigheten. Til tross for innsparingene var kostnadene forholdsvis lave.

See also: relativt, i forhold til.