levemåte

Levemåte is a Norwegian term used to describe the total pattern of how people live—their daily routines, social practices, and material conditions. Translating roughly as "way of life" or "lifestyle," levemåte is used in everyday language as well as in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to refer to the practical and cultural mode of existence of a community or individual.

A levemåte encompasses housing, work arrangements, mobility, diet, leisure, religious and moral practices, family life, and interactions with the environment. It is shaped by geography and climate, economic resources, technology, education, language, and social norms, and it evolves through historical change, migration, and contact with other cultures.

In scholarly use, levemåte is analyzed to understand how communities adapt to resources and risks, how identities are formed, and how cultural traditions are transmitted across generations. It is related to, but distinct from, livsstil (lifestyle) in Norwegian: livsstil often emphasizes tastes, choices, and personal preferences, while levemåte emphasizes the broader pattern of living that includes structural conditions and collective routines.

Examples frequently discussed include rural agrarian levemåte, inland vs coastal living patterns, and traditional fishing or farming communities, as well as modern urban levemåte where work, transport, and housing regimes shape daily life. The concept is dynamic; modernization, urbanization, and environmental change can alter routines and practices while preserving underlying cultural meanings.