ufornuftig

Ufornuftig is an adjective used in Danish (and also common in Norwegian Bokmål) to describe actions, decisions, or statements that are not guided by reason or sensible judgement. It can be translated as irrational, ill-advised, or unreasonable, depending on the context. The term often carries a evaluative or moral tone, signaling that something goes against common sense or prudent conduct.

Etymology and usage notes: u- is a negating prefix attached to fornuft, meaning reason or sense. Thus ufornuftig literally means “not reasonable.” The form can appear as ufornuftig, ufornuftigt (adverb), or ufornuftighed (noun form for irrationality or folly). It is used in both formal and everyday language to critique plans, behavior, or judgments that seem to disregard relevant information, consequences, or social norms.

Common contexts and phrases: The word frequently appears in discussions of risk, policy, or personal conduct. Examples include ufornuftig beslutning (an irrational/ill-advised decision) or gøre noget ufornuftigt (to do something irrational or unwise). In rhetoric, it may be used to caution against reckless actions or to contrast with fornuftig handling (reasonable, sensible action).

Related terms: The antonym is fornuftig, meaning sensible or reasonable, with the noun form fornuft denoting reason. Related concepts include uforsoneligt or uafhængig of context, but these are distinct from ufornuftig and should not be confused with it.

In summary, ufornuftig dubiously marks a lapse of rational judgement and is a common descriptor for imprudent or ill-considered behavior in Scandinavian languages.