forlater

Forlater is a verb used in Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk contexts) and Danish with the sense “to leave,” “to abandon,” or “to quit.” It is typically transitive, taking a direct object, and applies to leaving a place, ending a relationship, or ceasing to fulfill duties or obligations. In everyday use, it can describe physically departing from a location or withdrawing from commitments.

In Norwegian Bokmål, the present tense form is forlater (for example, Hun forlater byen). The simple past is forlot (Jeg forlot jobben), and the past participle is forlatt, used in perfect and passive constructions (Han har forlatt jobben; Byen ble forlatt). The verb thus participates in standard Norwegian tense patterns: present (forlater), past (forlot), perfect (har forlatt).

In Danish, the cognate verb is forlade, with present tense forlader and past tense forlod; past participle is forladt. These forms reflect typical Danish conjugation differences from Norwegian.

Etymology traces forlate back to Old Norse roots such as forláta or related forms meaning to leave behind or release, with cognates across the North Germanic languages. The sense of departure, abandonment, or cessation remains central across its use in modern Norwegian and Danish.

Usage notes: forlate can carry neutral or negative connotations depending on context. It can describe voluntary exit (leaving work or a place) or more charged situations (abandonment of people or responsibilities). In passive constructions, forms like blir forlatt or blev forladt are used to indicate that something is left behind by others.

See also: leave, abandon, quit, forlade (Danish).