opplyse

Opplyse is a Norwegian verb with two primary senses. In a literal sense it means to illuminate or brighten something, for example by lighting up a room. In a figurative sense it means to inform, clarify, or reveal information to someone, often to dispel ignorance or suspicion. The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object when used physically, and can be followed by om to indicate the subject of the information, as in opplyse om planene.

Etymology and cognates: The word comes from the prefix opp- meaning up or forth, combined with lys(e) from lys, light. It has cognates in Danish oplyse and in Swedish upplysa, and shares its general sense of illumination and disclosure across Scandinavian languages.

Usage and nuance: In everyday Norwegian opplyse is used for both lighting and informing. Examples: Lys opp rommet med den nye lampen. Faktaene opplyser seerne om hendelsen. Journalister kan opplyse publikum om risiko, og en lærer kan opplyse elever om et tema. The sense of providing clear, reliable information is common in journalism, education, and public communications.

Conjugation: Infinitive å opplyse. Present tense opplyser; past tense opplyste; past participle opplyst. Passive forms exist, such as å være opplyst meaning to be informed or enlightened.

See also: belyse, which means to shed light on or illuminate in a broader sense; informere, a more general term for informing. Opplyse often conveys both illumination and disclosure, depending on context.