sanningsenlig

Sanningsenlig is an adjective in Norwegian (and is closely mirrored in other Scandinavian languages) meaning in accordance with the truth or truthful. It is used to describe statements, accounts, documents, or representations that reflect the facts as they are known and supported by evidence.

Etymology and form: the term is built from the noun sanning, meaning truth, and the adjectival suffix -lig, producing sanningsenlig to indicate alignment with truth. Related forms exist in Swedish, and the concept is used in formal and written Norwegian to denote factual accuracy or veracity.

Usage and context: sanningsenlig is commonly applied in journalism, law, academia, and formal reporting to signal that a claim is supported by evidence, sources, or corroborating data. It does not guarantee absolute truth, but it implies fidelity to known facts and honesty in representation. In everyday language it may be used more loosely to emphasize credibility, while still relying on available information.

Nuances: the term is stronger than simply credible or believable; it conveys a standard of factual correspondence with evidence. In critical or juridical contexts, overstating something as sanningsenlig without sufficient proof can be misleading, so it is typically paired with sources, documentation, or specific references.

See also: sannhet, troverdighet, faktagrunnlag, kildebruk.