tilfelle

Tilfelle is a noun used in Danish and Norwegian to denote a specific instance, case, or occurrence. In both languages it can refer to a particular event, example, or circumstance, and it is commonly used in everyday and formal language alike. The word has cognates in related Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish tillfälle, which carries a related sense of occasion or opportunity.

In Norwegian, the indefinite singular form is et tilfelle. The definite singular is tilfellet, and the indefinite plural is tilfeller. The definite plural is tilfellene. Common phrases include i tilfelle meaning in case or in the event of, and et tilfelle used to refer to a single instance of something, such as a medical case or a legal case. The term can also appear in general discussion to point to a concrete example or occurrence.

In Danish, the corresponding forms are et tilfælde (indefinite singular) and tilfælde (indefinite plural). The definite singular is tilfældet, and the definite plural is tilfældene. Danish uses i tilfælde af to express the idea of in case of or in the event of. Like Norwegian, Danish speakers use tilfelde to speak about a particular instance, and the word is common in both everyday and professional contexts, including medical, legal, and investigative language.

See also: case, instance, occurrence, occasion. Etymologically, tilfelle and its Danish counterpart tilfælde are part of the North Germanic family and share cross-language cognates such as Swedish tillfälle.