gåden

Gåden is the definite form of the Danish noun gåde, meaning a riddle, puzzle, or mystery. It refers to a question or problem presented as something to be solved, typically featuring a twist or wordplay. In everyday Danish, an example would be a riddle posed in conversation, a puzzle in a game, or a line of a riddle told to test cleverness.

Etymology and related forms: The word belongs to the Danish language and has cognates across the North Germanic languages. The corresponding terms in closely related languages describe the same concept: Swedish gåta (indefinite) with the definite form gåtan, Norwegian gåte (indefinite) with the definite gåten. These cognates reflect a shared tradition of wordplay and problem-solving across the region.

Usage and cultural context: Riddles have a long-standing presence in Danish literature, folklore, and educational settings. Gåder are used in children’s games, puzzle collections, and storytelling to exercise logic, linguistic skill, and lateral thinking. The concept emphasizes wit and the enjoyment of discovering hidden meanings or clever solutions.

See also: gåde (Danish, the indefinite form of the word), gåta (Swedish), gåte (Norwegian).