ønsk

ønsk is a Danish term linked to the idea of wishing or desiring. In modern Danish, the most common headword forms are the verb ønske (to wish) and the noun et ønske (a wish). The root ønske appears in inflected forms such as ønsker (present tense: I/you/he wishes), ønskede (past tense), and ønsket (the past participle or the definite form of the noun, meaning “the wish” or “something wished for”). Although the bare stem ønsk is not typically used as an independent word in contemporary Danish, it underlies these standard forms.

Etymology and cognates: Danish ønske is closely related to the Norwegian and Swedish equivalents, ønske and önska, respectively, and shares common Germanic roots with related words in other Nordic languages. The development of the term is medieval and reflects the broad semantic field of desire, hope, and aspiration that characters in Nordic cultures have long expressed through language.

Usage and sense: Ønske covers both concrete wishes and more abstract desires. As a verb, it is used to express a wish or desire toward something or someone: Jeg ønsker dig en god dag (I wish you a good day). As a noun, et ønske refers to a specific wish or longing: mit største ønske (my greatest wish). The verb often appears in constructions with infinitives: at ønske at gøre noget. A common idiom is opfylde et ønske, meaning to fulfill a wish or have a wish granted.

See also: related Nordic forms such as önska (Swedish) and ønske (Norwegian), and broader discussions of wish and desire in Scandinavian languages.