henvendelse

Henvendelse is a term used in Norwegian and Danish to denote a request for information, assistance, or action addressed to a person or organization. It can describe both informal inquiries and formal communications and is common in administrative, corporate, and public contexts.

Etymology: The word derives from the verb henvende (Danish) or henvende sig til (Norwegian), meaning to turn toward or address someone.

Usage: In everyday language, a henvendelse can be a phone call, e‑mail, or letter asking for information or help. In public administration and law, it denotes a formal communication directed at a government body, which may be expected to respond within a given timeframe. The sender is the one who issues the henvendelse, and the recipient is the addressee.

Forms and channels: Henvendelser may be written or spoken and can be submitted by individuals or organizations. In many contexts, authorities maintain procedures for handling henvendelser, including acknowledgment and response times.

Context and scope: The concept covers a range of communications, from simple information requests to formal petitions or appeals. It is distinct from, yet related to, forespørsel (inquiry) and klage (complaint) and its exact implications can vary by country, jurisdiction, and legal framework.

See also: Forespørsel, Klage.