verdig

Verdig is a Norwegian adjective meaning worthy or deserving. It describes people, actions, or things that merit esteem, attention, or proper treatment. The term often carries moral or ethical nuances, signaling that someone or something has earned consideration beyond mere value.

Usage and grammar: Verdig is used both attributively before a noun (for example, en verdig kandidat) and predicatively after a linking verb (for example, han er verdig sin rolle). It agrees with the noun in gender and number like other Norwegian adjectives. In formal or literary contexts, verdig can be paired with the related noun verdighet, meaning worthiness or dignity, to express a more abstract sense of merit or character.

Origins and cognates: Verdig derives from older Germanic roots linked to value and honor. Cognates appear in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish værdig and Swedish värdig, with Icelandic verðugur and related forms reflecting the same sense of worth across the family of languages.

Notes: The word is commonly used in written or formal Norwegian and may appear in discussions of ethics, character, or appropriate conduct. It is distinct from the noun verdighet, which names the quality of being worthy, and from phrases that discuss what something is worthy of, such as “som er verdig” (worthy of). See also related terms for dignity and worth in Norwegian terminology.