Learn Norwegian

Norwegian

The flag of Norway

100+ Basic Norwegian Words And Phrases You Should Know

Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway. It is closely related to Danish and Swedish, forming a dialect continuum known as the Scandinavian languages. Norwegian has two official written forms: Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål is more widely used and is based on Danish-influenced Norwegian, while Nynorsk is based on a combination of dialects and aims to preserve a more traditional Norwegian linguistic heritage. Norwegian uses the Latin-based alphabet with additional characters. Norwegian grammar features noun and adjective declension, verb conjugation, and grammatical cases. Norwegian is an important part of Norwegian culture and identity, with a rich literary tradition.

Basic Words and Phrases

Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.

Yes
Ja
No
Nei
Please
Vær så snill
Thanks
Takk
Thank you
Takk
Thank you very much
Tusen takk
You're welcome
Vær så god
Yes, please
Ja, takk
No, thank you
Nei, takk
Excuse me
Unnskyld
I’m sorry
Beklager
Sorry
Unnskyld
Cheers!
Skål!

Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.

Hi
Hei
Hello
Hallo
Good day
God dag
Good morning
God morgen
Good afternoon
God ettermiddag
Good evening
God kveld
Good night
God natt
Goodbye
Ha det
Bye
Ha det
See you later!
Vi sees senere!
Have a nice day!
Ha en fin dag!

Conversations

Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.

How are you?
Hvordan har du det?
I'm fine
Jeg har det bra
Good, thank you!
Bra, takk!
And you?
Og du?
It's nice to meet you
Hyggelig å møte deg
What is your name?
Hva heter du?
My name is …
Jeg heter ...
Where are you from?
Hvor er du fra?
I am from …
Jeg er fra ...
I don't speak Norwegian
Jeg snakker ikke norsk
Do you speak English?
Snakker du engelsk?
I understand
Jeg forstår
I do not understand
Jeg forstår ikke

Hotel

When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.

Hotel
Hotell
Reception
Resepsjon
Reservation
Reservasjon
Room
Rom
Key
Nøkkel
Breakfast
Frokost

Restaurant

When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.

Restaurant
Restaurant
Menu
Meny
A table for one, please
Et bord for én, takk
A table for two, please
Et bord for to, takk
I would like a coffee, please
Jeg vil gjerne ha en kaffe, takk
Can I have the bill, please?
Kan jeg få regningen, takk?
Can you bring me the bill, please?
Kan du bringe meg regningen, takk?
I would like to pay, please
Jeg vil gjerne betale, takk
The bill, please
Regningen, takk
Can I pay with cash?
Kan jeg betale med kontanter?
Can I pay with card?
Kan jeg betale med kort?
Can I pay with credit card?
Kan jeg betale med kredittkort?

Food and drinks

Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.

Food
Mat
Drinks
Drikke
Bread
Brød
Sandwich
Smørbrød
Cheese
Ost
Meat
Kjøtt
Fish
Fisk
Vegetables
Grønnsaker
Fruit
Frukt
Vegetarian
Vegetar
I am a vegetarian
Jeg er vegetarianer
Coffee
Kaffe
Tea
Te
Beer
Øl
Wine
Vin
Water
Vann
Milk
Melk

Shopping

Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.

Store
Butikk
Supermarket
Supermarked
Market
Marked
How much does this cost?
Hvor mye koster dette?
I'm just looking
Jeg bare ser

Directions

Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.

Where is the toilet?
Hvor er toalettet?
Where is the beach?
Hvor er stranden?
How do I get to the airport?
Hvordan kommer jeg til flyplassen?
Left
Venstre
Right
Høyre
Straight ahead
Rett frem

Travel

Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.

Airport
Flyplass
Plane
Fly
Train station
Togstasjon
Train
Tog
Bus station
Busstasjon
Bus
Buss
Taxi
Taxi
Ticket
Billett
Can I get a ticket to Oslo?
Kan jeg få en billett til Oslo?
I would like a ticket to Oslo
Jeg vil gjerne ha en billett til Oslo
I need a ticket to Oslo
Jeg trenger en billett til Oslo
A ticket to Oslo, please
En billett til Oslo, tak
What time is the next train to Oslo?
Hva tid går neste tog til Oslo?
When is the next train to Oslo?
Når går neste tog til Oslo?
When does the next train to Oslo leave?
Når går neste tog til Oslo?

Emergencies

When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.

Help!
Hjelp!
Help me!
Hjelp meg!
I need help
Jeg trenger hjelp
Police
Politi
Hospital
Sykehus
Ambulance
Ambulanse
Doctor
Lege
Fire department
Brannvesen
Fire!
Brann!

Question Words

Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.

What?
Hva?
What is your name?
Hva heter du?
What is that?
Hva er det?
What is this called?
Hva kalles dette?
What do you need?
Hva trenger du?
What time is it?
Hva er klokka?
What do you like?
Hva liker du?
Where?
Hvor?
Where is the toilet?
Hvor er toalettet?
When?
Når?
When is the next train?
Når går neste tog?
When can we meet?
Når kan vi møtes?
Why?
Hvorfor?
Why is it expensive?
Hvorfor er det dyrt?
How?
Hvordan?
How are you doing?
Hvordan har du det?
How would you like to pay?
Hvordan vil du betale?
Which?
Hvilken?
Which car is yours?
Hvilken bil er din?
Which museum did you visit?
Hvilket museum besøkte du?
Which museums did you visit?
Hvilke museer besøkte du?
Which sandwich is yours?
Hvilken sandwich er din?
Which local dish do you want to try?
Hvilken lokal rett vil du prøve?
Who?
Hvem?
Who is that?
Hvem er det?
Whose?
Hvem sin?
Whose keys are these?
Hvem sine nøkler er dette?
Whose phone is ringing?
Hvem sin telefon ringer?
Whose bag is this?
Hvem sin veske er dette?
Whose book is this?
Hvem sin bok er dette?
How many?
Hvor mange?
How many books have you read?
Hvor mange bøker har du lest?
How many apples do you want to buy?
Hvor mange epler vil du kjøpe?
How much?
Hvor mye?
How much does this cost?
Hvor mye koster dette?

Numbers

Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.

Zero
Null
One
En
Two
To
Three
Tre
Four
Fire
Five
Fem
Six
Seks
Seven
Syv
Eight
Åtte
Nine
Ni
Ten
Ti
Eleven
Elleve
Twelve
Tolv
Thirteen
Tretten
Fourteen
Fjorten
Fifteen
Femten
Sixteen
Seksten
Seventeen
Sytten
Eighteen
Atten
Nineteen
Nitten
Twenty
Tjue
Twenty-one
Tjueen
Twenty-two
Tjueto
Twenty-three
Tjuetre
Twenty-four
Tjuefire
Twenty-five
Tjuefem
Twenty-six
Tjueseks
Twenty-seven
Tjuesyv
Twenty-eight
Tjueåtte
Twenty-nine
Tjueni
Thirty
Tretti
Forty
Førti
Fifty
Femti
Sixty
Seksti
Seventy
Sytti
Eighty
Åtti
Ninety
Nitti
Hundred
Hundre

Days of the week

Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.

Monday
Mandag
Tuesday
Tirsdag
Wednesday
Onsdag
Thursday
Torsdag
Friday
Fredag
Saturday
Lørdag
Sunday
Søndag

Months

Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.

January
Januar
February
Februar
March
Mars
April
April
May
Mai
June
Juni
July
Juli
August
August
September
September
Oktober
Oktober
November
November
December
Desember

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Abbreviations used

infInformal
frmFormal
fFeminine
mMasculine
sgSingular
plPlural

About Me

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Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.

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