oppmuntrer

Oppmuntrer is a Norwegian verb meaning to encourage someone or to cheer someone up. It denotes actions that raise morale, increase confidence, or motivate a person to pursue a goal. The sense can be emotional, such as helping someone feel more hopeful, or practical, such as urging someone to continue with an activity or take a new step. The term is used in everyday speech as well as in educational, professional, and social contexts.

Etymology and related forms: The verb is formed with the prefix opp- (upward, onward) attached to munter, meaning cheerful. The combination conveys causing someone to become more cheerful or more motivated. It has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish opmuntre and Swedish uppmuntra, reflecting a common Germanic heritage.

Usage: Oppmuntrer is transitive and commonly takes a clause introduced by til å to indicate what the person is being encouraged to do. Examples: "Læreren oppmuntret elevene til å stille spørsmål." "Ledelsen oppmuntret ansatte til å dele ideer." In addition to direct encouragement, the verb can describe a general atmosphere or mood-raising effect, as in "Været senere oppmuntrende for oppmuntret samarbeid." The past tense is typically oppmuntret (or the related form oppmuntert in some dialects), and the present perfect is har oppmuntret.

See also: oppfordre, motivere, støtte. These terms cover related notions of urging, motivating, or supporting others.