plagerne

Plagerne is a definite plural form used in Danish and Norwegian Bokmål (and related forms in other North Germanic languages) of the noun plage, which denotes nuisance, trouble, or affliction. The term functions as a generic label for multiple pests, nuisances, or problems, and its exact sense is dictated by context. In everyday language, plagerne commonly refers to biological pests such as insects or weeds that cause damage or bother, but it can also denote more abstract troubles that burden people, communities, or environments. In historical or literary contexts, plagerne may refer to large-scale afflictions, such as outbreaks of disease.

Grammatically, plagerne is the definite plural; the indefinite plural noun is plager. The base noun plage stems from a sense of harassing or tormenting, and related forms appear in other North Germanic languages with similar meanings. The word is used across domains such as agriculture, ecology, public health, and literature, with translation choices ranging from “the pests” to “the plagues” or “the torments,” depending on what is being described.

Usage notes include recognizing that the exact translation of plagerne depends on context. When referring to insects or other organisms causing damage, the sense is closer to “the pests”; when describing widespread disease or chronic trouble, it aligns more with “the plagues.” See also plague, pest, nuisance, and disease outbreak.