medfølger

Medfølger is a noun used in Danish and Norwegian to describe a person who accompanies someone else. The related verb is å medfølge, and the common expression følger med means “comes along” or “is accompanying.” The term is gender-neutral and can refer to family members, friends, caregivers, or any accompanying person.

In usage, medfølger appears in travel, events, and official contexts to designate a companion who accompanies the primary person. For example, a ticket, admission, or hotel reservation may specify a medfølger, meaning an accompanying person is allowed or expected to join. In healthcare, a patient may be accompanied by a medfølger to appointments or procedures. Administrative forms sometimes ask for information about a medfølger to document who is accompanying someone else.

The concept emphasizes the relationship of the accompanying person to the primary individual, rather than the recipient themselves. While the core meaning is similar in Danish and Norwegian, idiomatic usage and phrasing can vary between the languages. The term can also appear in contexts where policies or benefits apply to the accompanying person in addition to the main holder.

See also: companionship, attendant, escort.