vanlig

Vanlig is an adjective used in several Scandinavian languages, most prominently Norwegian (where the Bokmål form is vanlig and the Nynorsk form is vanleg), as well as Swedish, to mean common, ordinary, or usual. It describes something that occurs frequently, is typical in a given context, or is generally expected. The word functions in attributive and predicative positions, for example: “Dette er en vanlig situasjon” (Norwegian Bokmål) or “Det er vanleg å spørje” (Norwegian Nynorsk), and “vanlig” in Swedish in similar contexts. The adverbial form vanligvis in Norwegian means usually or commonly.

Etymology and cognates: vanlig belongs to the Germanic language family and has cognates in related Scandinavian languages. The sense of being widespread or ordinary is common across these languages, though exact spellings and dialectal forms differ. In Norwegian, the meaning aligns with similar terms in Swedish and Danish, reflecting shared historical roots.

Usage and nuance: vanlig is used to mark frequency, expectation, or typicality. It can describe things that are not unusual, such as routine practices, common opinions, or standard conditions. In contexts where judgement is involved, it often conveys a neutral or descriptive tone rather than a value judgement. The adverb vanligvis broadens the sense to ‘usually’ or ‘generally.’

Variants and dialects: while Bokmål uses vanlig, Nynorsk uses vanleg. Spelling and inflection can vary by dialect and standard written form. In translation, closest equivalents include common, ordinary, usual, or typical, depending on context.