innlede

Innlede is a Norwegian verb meaning to introduce or to lead into something, such as a topic, a discussion, a speech, or a text. The action involves providing opening context or framing before the main content. It is used transitively: one innleder en diskusjon, innleder et kapittel, eller innleder en presentasjon. The related noun innledning refers to an introduction or prologue, and innledende is the adjective for something introductory or preliminary.

Etymology: Innlede is formed from the prefix inn- meaning “in” or “into” and the verb lede/lede meaning “to lead.” The construction is cognate with Danish indlede and Swedish inleda, reflecting shared North Germanic roots.

Usage: Innlede is common in formal and semi-formal contexts—academic writing, journalism, public speaking, and literature—where the author or speaker frames what follows. It can carry the nuance of deliberate framing rather than merely starting. In everyday speech, speakers may opt for simpler verbs such as begynne eller åpne when the emphasis is on starting rather than framing; innlede emphasizes the act of providing context.

Examples: Forfatteren innleder kapitlet med en kort anekdote. Eksperten innleder konferansen med en oversikt over problemstillingen. Artikkelen innleder drøftingen av temaet. The expression “innlede med” is common to introduce the opening line or method.

See also: innledning, innledende, innledningstype, start, åpne.