åpenbart

Åpenbart is a Norwegian adverb meaning obviously, evidently, or patently. It is used to indicate that a statement or conclusion follows clearly from the facts, or that something is self-evident under the given circumstances. The word can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses, and it is common in both spoken and written Norwegian.

Etymology and form: åpenbart is derived from the adjective åpenbar, meaning obvious or visible, with the adverbial suffix -t. It has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish åbenbart and Swedish uppenbar, reflecting a shared Germanic heritage.

Usage notes: åpenbart is versatile and can introduce a claim that the speaker regards as clear or indisputable. It can appear before a clause, as in Det er åpenbart at prosjektet trenger mer finansiering (It is obvious that the project needs more funding), or after a clause for emphasis, like Prosjektet var åpenbart vellykket (The project was obviously successful). The term is generally neutral to assertive, but it may carry a sly or ironic nuance in certain contexts if the speaker intends to challenge the obviousness of a situation.

Translations: common equivalents include obviously, evidently, and plainly. In Norwegian, åpenbart is more formal than everyday phrases like det bør være tydelig, but it is widely understood across registers.

See also: åpenbar, the related adjective meaning obvious; related terms in the same semantic field include tydelig and innlysende.