førsteleddet

Førsteleddet is a term used in Norwegian linguistics to denote the first constituent of a compound word (sammensatt ord). The compound typically consists of two or more elements joined to form a new lexical item; the first element is the førsteledd and the second element is the andreledd. The concept helps describe how compounds are built and how their meanings relate to the parts.

Førsteleddet is frequently a content word such as a noun or an adjective, or a proper name, which provides a domain, source, or attribute for the meaning of the whole word. The andreledd often indicates the type or function of the concept expressed by the compound, or narrows its meaning. However, the semantic relation varies with the specific word.

Common examples include bokhandel (bok + handel) where førsteleddet bok names the object domain, husdyr (hus + dyr) where the first element is house, nordlys (nord + lys) north + light, and skolegård (skole + gård) school + yard. In many cases, førsteleddet can be used in other compounds as well, showing its productive role in word formation.

In linguistic analysis, distinguishing førsteleddet from andreledd helps in understanding word formation, etymology, and morphology, and can aid in education and lexicography. The boundary between the two parts is not always strictly fixed; there are cases where the meaning or productivity of the førsteledd evolves over time.

See also: andreledd; sammensatte ord; ordforbindelser.