uægte

Uægte is a Danish adjective with multiple related meanings. Primarily, it denotes that something is not genuine or authentic, i.e., counterfeit or false. It has also historically been used as a noun to describe a child born outside of marriage, the illegitimate child. In modern Danish, the term carries strong pejorative connotations when used about people or status.

Etymology and use. Uægte is formed from the negating prefix u- added to ægte, meaning genuine or authentic. The combination is akin to “not genuine.” The word is found in old and contemporary Danish texts, but its use to describe people—especially a child born out of wedlock—has become outdated and often offensive in modern language.

Historical and social context. In past centuries, an uægte child faced social stigma and, at times, legal disadvantages. Over time, reforms in family and civil law reduced such disparities, and today official language tends to avoid the term in reference to individuals. For contemporary discussions, neutral phrasing such as “barn født uden for ægteskab” (a child born outside marriage) or simply describing the child’s status is preferred.

Current usage. In modern Danish, uægte is largely restricted to two domains: describing authenticity, where it means not genuine or counterfeit (for example, uægte varer or uægte dokumenter); and historical or literary contexts when discussing past attitudes toward illegitimacy. When referring to people, the term is generally avoided in favor of neutral language.