utallige

Utallige is a North Germanic adjective used in Danish and Norwegian to describe a very large number of things or a seemingly endless quantity. The term conveys the sense of being too numerous to count and is typically used to emphasize breadth or variety, rather than a mathematically precise amount. It is most often found before plural nouns, as in utallige muligheder or utallige mennesker.

Etymology and form: Utallige is built from the root utall, meaning a large number, with the adjectival suffix -ige to form a descriptive word. A related noun, et utall, refers to a great many or a multitude. The form utallige is the standard attributive adjective in contemporary Danish and Norwegian when describing plural nouns.

Usage notes: Utallige tends to appear in written or formal language, and is common in journalism, literature, and speeches. It signals emphasis on abundance rather than precision. It is distinct from synonyms like mange (many) or uendelig (endless); utallige implies a very large, often indefinite quantity, whereas uendelig suggests without end and utallige emphasizes numeric abundance.

Examples:

- Der er utallige grunde til at støtte projektet. (There are countless reasons to support the project.)

- Utallige mennesker deltog i overraskelsen. (Countless people participated in the surprise.)

See also: other intensifiers for quantity in Danish and Norwegian, such as mange (many), utall, uendelig (endless), and related terms in North Germanic languages.