maktfulle

Maktfulle is an adjective used in Norwegian and, to a lesser extent, in other Scandinavian languages to mean powerful or influential. It is formed from the noun makt, meaning power, plus the attributive suffix that yields a meaning of “full of power.” In Norwegian Bokmål, maktfull is the base form, and maktfulle is the indefinite plural form used before plural nouns (for example, maktfulle ledere or maktfulle organisasjoner). In singular usage, forms such as en maktfull person (a powerful person) or et maktfullt ord (a powerful word) are common, reflecting the language’s gender and definiteness inflection.

Grammatical notes can vary by dialect. In standard Norwegian, the plural indefinite form often ends with -e, producing maktfulle for plural. The definite form of the same noun phrase would typically add -ne or -e to the noun itself (for example, de maktfulle lederne). The root sense remains “having great power or influence.”

Usage and nuance: maktfulle is typically found in political, rhetorical, or descriptive prose and speeches. It carries a strong positive or negative connotation depending on context, similar to English “powerful” or “influential,” and can describe people, organizations, arguments, or institutions.

Related terms include maktfull, maktfullhet (powerfulness), and cognates in Swedish, where the corresponding plural form is maktfulla. Maktfulle is not a technical term but a common descriptive adjective in contemporary Scandinavian usage.