tilleggsord

Tilleggsord is a traditional term used in Norwegian grammar and language education to describe words that modify or qualify other words, providing additional information about quality, quantity, manner, or reference. The category is primarily associated with words that add detail to content words such as nouns and verbs.

The most common members of tilleggsord are adjectives (adjektiv), which describe or specify nouns, and adverbs (adverb), which modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In some grammars, the umbrella term tilleggsord also includes determiners (such as this, that, my) and degree or limitation words (gradord) that restrict or intensify the meaning of the word they modify. Collectively, tilleggsord serve to refine meaning rather than to name, classify, or perform the core grammatical function of the main word.

Characteristics vary by subtype. Adjektiv typically agree in gender and number with the noun they modify and can take different inflections. Adverb usually lacks agreement and often forms comparative or superlative in conjunction with other adjectives. Degree words like veldig or ganske function to amplify or moderate the strength of an adjective or another adverb.

In modern linguistic usage, tilleggsord is a term found mainly in school grammar and older grammatikktradisjoner; contemporary grammars may describe the same functions using separate categories such as adjektiv, adverb, determiners, and gradord. Nonetheless, tilleggsord remains a useful shorthand for the broad class of modifier words that enrich meaning in Norwegian.

See also: adjektiv, adverb, determiners, gradord.