frikjøpe

Frikjøpe is a Norwegian verb that means to pay to release someone or something from an obligation or constraint, effectively buying freedom from a binding arrangement. The related noun frikjøp refers to the payment or the process by which the release is achieved.

Etymologically, the word combines fri meaning “free” and kjøpe meaning “to buy,” and it is typically used in formal or administrative language rather than casual speech. The concept is similar to the English expression “buy out.”

Usage and contexts vary, but frikjøp generally involves a negotiated sum that terminates or relaxes a contractual or statutory obligation. Common situations include terminating an employment contract early by paying a negotiated compensation, buying out a contract to exit a partnership or a lease, or facilitating a corporate or municipal buyout where one party is compensated to relinquish ownership interests, rights, or duties. In some historical or military contexts, frikjøp has referred to paying to avoid or end compulsory service. The specific terms, amounts, and conditions are defined in agreements, laws, or collective agreements and can differ between jurisdictions and sectors.

Frikjøpe is thus a mechanism to convert an ongoing obligation into a negotiated settlement or exit, often used to manage staffing, ownership changes, or contractual risk. See also: buyout, contract termination, settlement.