kjørt

Kjært is a Scandinavian adjective meaning dear, beloved, or cherished. In Norwegian, it is closely related to the form kjær and is used to express affection in both everyday language and more literary contexts. Kjært appears as the neuter singular form before a neuter noun in indefinite phrases, for example et kjært minne (a dear memory). The language also allows other inflected forms of kjær depending on gender and definiteness, such as den kjære mannen (the dear man) or det kjære minnet (the dear memory).

Etymology and cognates indicate that kjært derives from Old Norse kærr/kær, with cognates across the Scandinavian languages, including Danish kær and Swedish kär. The root is linked to expressions of affection that have persisted in the region’s literature and everyday speech for centuries.

Usage and nuance: kjært carries a warm, affectionate nuance and can appear in poetry, hymns, and fixed sayings. It is also encountered in affectionate address, alongside the more common kjærlig or min kjære in contemporary Norwegian and Danish. A well-known proverb in Norwegian illustrates its cultural resonance: kjært barn har mange navn (a beloved child has many names). In modern, casual speech, speakers may opt for kjær or min kjære rather than kjært in some contexts, but kjært remains a standard, recognized form in the language.

See also: kjære, kjærleik, and the related Danish kært.