upålitelige

Upålitelige is a Norwegian adjective meaning not reliable or untrustworthy. It describes persons, statements, information, sources, equipment, or systems whose reliability or credibility cannot be taken for granted. The term is used across everyday speech, journalism, research, and risk assessment to indicate doubt about dependability or truthfulness.

Etymology and form: upålitelige is formed from pålitelig, meaning reliable, with the negative prefix u- expressing negation. The word follows standard Norwegian adjective inflection, and its forms change with gender and number. Common forms include en upålitelig kilde (indefinite singular), et upålitelig uttrykk, upålitelige kilder (indefinite plural), and den upålitelige kilden, de upålitelige kildene (definite forms).

Usage notes: The term connotes a lack of credibility or consistency rather than explicit deceit. It is appropriate for discussing reliability in sources, data, or testimonies, as well as for evaluating tools, methods, or personnel. In some contexts, stronger words such as tvilsom or mistenkelig may be used, but upålitelig remains a neutral descriptor of unreliability.

Examples:

- Kilden er upålitelig og bør ikke brukes som eneste referanse.

- Tallene i rapporten var upålitelige på grunn av dårlig datakvalitet.

- Denne uttalelsen er upålitelig uten ytterligere verifikasjon.

See also: pålitelig (reliable), tvilsom (suspect/doubtful), mistenkelig (suspicious). The term is closely tied to assessments of credibility and accuracy in Norwegian discourse.