hemmelig

Hemmelig is a Norwegian adjective meaning secret or confidential. It describes information, plans, or actions that are not intended for public disclosure. The word modifies nouns directly, as in en hemmelig avtale, hemmelige dokumenter, or hemmelig informasjon. The related noun is hemmelighet, meaning secrecy or confidentiality.

In Scandinavian languages, hemmelig is cognate with Swedish hemlig and Danish hemmelig. The term belongs to a common Germanic root for secrecy and privacy, with origins in older forms shared by the Norse and other Germanic languages.

Usage: The word appears in everyday language and formal contexts. It can describe information deemed confidential in personal, business, or public matters. In law or journalism, it is often used with other terms to indicate confidentiality. The noun hemmelighet denotes secrecy.

See also: hemmelighet; confidentiality; secrecy. The concept contrasts with offentlighet, which means public or open.