Ønsker

Ønsker is a word used in Danish and Norwegian with two main functions. It can be a plural noun meaning “wishes” or “desires,” and it is also the present tense form of the verb at ønske, meaning “to wish” or “to want.” As a noun, the singular is et ønske, and the plural is ønsker, as in “jeg har mange ønsker” (I have many wishes). As a verb, ønskER is the present tense for most persons: jeg ønsker, du ønsker, han ønsker, vi ønsker, I/De ønsker.

Etymology and cognates: The word derives from Old Norse and related Germanic roots meaning wish or desire. Cognates appear in other Scandinavian languages; for example Swedish öskar and Norwegian/Danish ønsker show the same origin and similar meanings. The letter ø is a distinctive part of Danish and Norwegian alphabets and marks a vowel sound not found in English.

Usage notes: In everyday language, ønskER/ønskER can express both wishes and desires. Examples include Danish: “Jeg ønsker dig en god dag” (I wish you a good day) and “Mine ønsker for fremtiden er klare.” Norwegian equivalents are “Jeg ønsker deg en god dag” and similar constructions. The word also forms compounds such as ønske, ønske-liste or ønske­liste (wishlist), used in shopping, planning, or gift-giving contexts.

See also: ønske, ønskeliste, at ønske.