gennemgående

Gennemgående is a Danish adjective meaning throughgoing or pervasive. It describes something that runs through an object, text, argument, or system, appearing consistently from start to finish or across its parts. In a broader sense, it can denote coherence, unity, or comprehensiveness within a field or work.

Etymology and usage notes: the term is formed from gennem (through) and gående (going). As a compound adjective, gennemgående typically precedes the noun it modifies, for example gennemgående tema (an overarching theme) or gennemgående design (a cohesive design). It can also be used more broadly to indicate something that is present throughout a whole work or process.

Common contexts: literature and criticism use gennemgående to refer to themes or motifs that recur across a text. In architecture and design, it can describe athroughline in style or a design that is cohesive from part to part. In management, policy, and evaluation, gennemgående may describe requirements, principles, or approaches that apply across an organization or project. It is also used to describe tone, quality, or characteristics that permeate a whole piece of work.

Examples: Et gennemgående tema i romanen er identitet. Designet følger en gennemgående linje. Organisationen har en gennemgående tilgang til sikkerhed. These sentences illustrate how gennemgående conveys continuity and unity across different domains.