herlig

Herlig is a Norwegian adjective meaning delightful, wonderful, or lovely. It is used to describe people, things, events, or experiences that evoke positive feelings. Common expressions include "Det var en herlig dag" (It was a wonderful day) and "et herlig måltid" (a delicious meal). The word carries warmth and a sense of enjoyment, but it is typically informal and everyday rather than formal or technical language.

Etymology and related forms: The term is of Germanic origin and has cognates in Danish as "herlig" and Swedish as "härlig," with similar meanings such as glorious or splendid. In Norwegian, the sense has narrowed to everyday positive evaluation. The noun form "herlighet" means splendor or greatness, and "herligheter" can refer to wonderful things or pleasures.

Usage notes: Because it conveys cheerful emphasis, herlig tends to appear in casual conversation, travel writing, food reviews, and family contexts. In more formal prose, synonyms such as "vidunderlig," "fantastisk," or "utmerket" may be preferred depending on the degree of praise. The word can also take a mild ironic tone when used to describe something unexpectedly pleasant.

Cultural context: The term is well established in Norwegian-language usage and appears in literature, journalism, and media to express positive subjective appraisal without being overly strong.

See also: hyggelig, fantastisk, vidunderlig, herlighet.