indlysende

Indlysende is a Danish adjective meaning obvious, self-evident, or manifest. It is used to describe facts, arguments, or observations that are readily apparent and difficult to dispute. The term appears in both written and spoken Danish, particularly in formal or analytical contexts such as journalism, science, and critique. Common synonyms include åbenlys and tydelig, though indlysende carries a stronger sense of undeniability.

Etymology and form: The word is formed from the prefix ind- combined with lysende (shining), from lys (light). The metaphor suggests something illuminated from within or clearly visible, hence evident. Grammatically, indlysende functions as an attributive adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies, e.g., en indlysende påstand (an obvious claim). In predicative use, it can appear in constructions like Det er indlysende, at... (It is evident that...).

Usage notes: Indlysende is more common in formal or analytical prose than in everyday speech, where neater or softer terms might be preferred. It is also used to emphasize a conclusion or observation that follows logically from presented data. While primarily Danish, cognate forms exist in other Scandinavian languages with similar meanings, though usage and nuance may differ.

Examples: Det er en indlysende fejl i rapporten. Denne konklusion virker indlysende. Det blev hurtigt klart, at forslaget var indlysende dårligt organiseret.

See also: Danish vocabulary for evidential terms, stylistic usage in academic Danish, related terms such as åbenlys and tydelig.