hensyn

Hensyn is a noun used in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish that denotes consideration, regard or respect for others and for specific factors or circumstances. It can refer to the mental act of considering something, as well as to the interests, needs or constraints that should be protected or balanced in decision making. The term is widely used in everyday language as well as in legal, administrative and planning contexts. In Swedish, the cognate word Hänsyn is used with the same meaning.

In Danish planning and public administration, hensyn is a central concept. Decisions are expected to respect various hensyn, such as environmental protection, public health, safety, and the interests of neighbors. Common phrases include miljøhensyn (environmental considerations) and hensyn til naboer (consideration for neighbors). The expression at tage hensyn means to take considerations into account. Hensyn is used to describe the balancing of different interests—social, economic and ecological factors—in policy and planning processes.

Etymology and cognates: the word is of North Germanic origin and has cognates across the Nordic languages. In Danish and Norwegian it is spelled hensyn, while Swedish uses Hänsyn, reflecting a closely related but orthographically distinct form. The core meaning—consideration or regard for relevant factors—remains consistent across the languages.

See also: related concepts include planning principles, environmental considerations, and social considerations in public decision making. Hensyn functions as a linguistic and practical tool for expressing the obligation to weigh different interests in law, policy, and everyday interactions.