udødelig

Udødelig is a Danish and Norwegian adjective meaning immortal or undying. It is used to describe beings, entities, or concepts that do not die, such as gods, mythological figures, supernatural beings, or fictional characters. The term can also be used metaphorically to indicate something that endures for a very long time or beyond the normal lifespan of a person.

Originates from the root dødelig (mortal) with the negating prefix ud-, yielding “not mortal.” The corresponding noun for the state of never dying is immortality, expressed in Danish as udødelighed and in Norwegian as udødelighet. The term has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as odödlig in Swedish, which carries a closely related meaning.

In religion and philosophy, udødelig is used to discuss beings believed to possess eternal existence. In fiction and popular culture, the concept frequently appears in fantasy and science fiction, where characters may be depicted as udødelige through magic, science, or divine intervention. The idea often raises ethical and existential questions about the value and burden of immortality, such as boredom, loss, or the prolonged experience of life.

See also immortality.