pålitelige

Pålitelige is a Norwegian adjective used to describe something that can be trusted or depended on. It is the plural form of the base adjective pålitelig, meaning reliable or trustworthy. The term is widely used across journalism, research, business, and everyday language to signal credibility, consistency, or soundness.

In practice, pålitelige is commonly applied to sources, data, individuals, and processes. For example, pålitelige kilder refers to sources considered credible and worthy of reliance, while pålitelige data suggests information that has been verified or collected under trustworthy procedures. The word can also describe institutions, tools, or systems that perform consistently and meet expected standards.

Usage and nuance: the term conveys a positive assessment of dependability rather than mere correctness. It is often contrasted with upålitelig, the Norwegian word for unreliable. When evaluating statements or claims, readers are encouraged to consider whether the information is supported by pålitelige kilder and whether methods and procedures behind the data are transparent and robust.

Related concepts include pålitelighet, the noun form meaning reliability or trustworthiness, and synonyms such as troverdig and fiable in closely related Scandinavian languages. The concept remains central to critical reading, quality control, risk assessment, and evidence-based practice.