skammelig

Skammelig is an adjective in Norwegian meaning “shameful” or “disgraceful.” It describes actions, situations, or traits that provoke moral disapproval or a sense of shame. The word can modify nouns directly, as in skammelig håndtering or skammelig oppførsel, and it can appear in common phrases such as skammelig oppførsel or skammelighet, the latter being the noun form meaning “shamefulness” or “disgrace.”

Etymology and cognates: Skammelig is derived from the noun skam, meaning “shame,” with the derivational suffix -elig, which forms adjectives indicating a quality or characteristic. The form is cognate with Danish skammelig and shares a common Germanic heritage related to notions of shame and reproach.

Usage: In contemporary Norwegian, skammelig carries strong normative judgments and is more emphatic than milde descriptors like uakseptabel (unacceptable) or skuffende (disappointing). It is more likely to appear in formal writing, journalism, or literary contexts, and can sound moralistic or emphatic in casual speech. The term is generally used to describe others’ actions or situations rather than oneself.

Examples: Det var en skammelig måte å behandle noen på. Han begikk en skammelig handling. Denne handelen er helt skammelig. Skammelighet is the corresponding noun form referring to the quality or state of being shameful.

See also terms related to social judgment and morality, such as skam, skandal, and fortreffelighet, for broader context of moral evaluation in Norwegian.