kjølige

Kjølige is the plural form of the Norwegian adjective kjølig, meaning cool or chilly in reference to temperature or atmosphere. It is used before plural nouns to describe a mood, climate, or environment that is not warm. In everyday language, kjølig can refer to weather, air, beverages, or a person’s demeanor when describing a calm, reserved, or restrained mood.

Etymology and cognates: The word kjølig is part of the North Germanic family and has closely related forms in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish kølig and Swedish kylig. These cognates share a common root associated with coolness or coldness, and the Norwegian form kjølig developed through historical spelling and pronunciation changes within Norwegian.

Usage and grammar: Kjølige is the plural form used before plural nouns in indefinite contexts (for example, kjølige netter, kjølige dager). The base form kjølig is used for singular nouns (for example, en kjølig kveld, et kjølig vær). Adjectives in Norwegian agree with the noun in number and definiteness, so the form appears as kjølig in singular and kjølige in plural, with the definite forms adjusting when the noun is definite. Common contexts include weather forecasts, descriptions of rooms or beverages, and literary descriptions of atmosphere.

See also and related terms: Other related adjectives include kald, which more strongly conveys coldness, and varm, its opposite. The term can be contrasted with phrases describing warmth or heat, such as varmt eller varmt inne. In usage, kjølige is a neutral descriptor and is widely understood across Norwegian dialects.