You're on your way to Norway soon and want to get acquainted with the language? Discover our selection of phrases and expressions to speak Norwegian!
It is always pleasant and appreciable (for you as much as for the locals) to know a few words in the language of the country you visit... But in addition to the indispensable phrases of politeness, we offer you to learn some typical and light expressions, an indispensable complement to any vocabulary. You will not find them in the books, but you will hear them everywhere in the streets!
Official languages of Norway
Photo credit: Unsplash – John O’Nolan
Norway has two distinct official dialects: bokmål and nynorsk. Both have the same status and are used similarly. The books, magazines and newspapers are published and printed in both dialects. Whether you’re talking to each other, you should know that both are understood by the other Norwegians, regardless of the chosen dialect.
Here is the pronunciation of 4 letters and sets of letters to the different sounds of the French language, to begin the learning of Norwegian:
E = "e" U = "or" J = "y" SJ, SKY, SKJ and SKI = "ch"
1. Basic expressions
Thanks to the few words listed below, you can easily get understood throughout the country.
- « Hallo » Hello / Good evening - Hei! Hi! - « Ja / Nei » Yes / No - « Hva heter du? » What's your name? » - « Hyggelig å treffe deg » How do you do? - "Hvordan har det? » How are you? - "Jeg har det bra! » Good, thank you! - « Og du? » What about you? - « Takk! » Thank you! - "Vær så snill" : Please - "Snakker du engelsk? » : Are you speaking (English/Norway)? - "Jeg forstår ikke" I don't understand - "Jeg vet ikke" I don't know - "Unnskyld! » Excuse me. - « Kan du hjelpe meg? » : Can you help me? - "Jeg har bestilt" : I have a reservation - « Kelner! » : Boy / madam!
1. Utepils
In Norway, the word "utepils" describes how to enjoy a beer outside, outside. Pronounced “OOH-ta-pilz”, it simply means any beer consumed outside, at any time of the year, but it is true that the first of the season is a very expected ritual. You know when spring comes, after the long dark months of a rigorous winter. But it’s also an expression used when you’re happy with a new one and you want to celebrate it!
Example "Ah, vårt lag vunnet! Utepils!": Ah, our team won! Let's go have a drink!
2. Bakrus
To use in case you spend a whole evening surrounded by Norwegians, and that, we never know, you drink much more than one beer... At the base, it comes from the Danish word "Bagstiv", which means that you are still drunk when you wake up the next morning. Literally: Drink back. In Norway, it says "bakrus."
3. Pålegg
The Norwegian word pålegg means any food that can put on a slice of bread to make it a tartine (beurre, cheese, ham, jam). Instead of saying "What do you want on your bread?", you are asked "What palegg do you want!" There is not really a literal French translation... or maybe “in addition to”...
4. Forelsket
In Norway, the word forelsket characterizes euphoria and everything it is possible to feel in the deepest of yourself when you start falling in love with a person... One of the most enjoyable feelings in the world: butterflies in the belly, blunt smiles... Another word that cannot really translate into French.
Example : « Kysset kjæresten min, følte jeg forelsket ! » : By kissing my boyfriend, I felt forelsket!
5. Poronkusema
Here is a word out comes straight from the Sami people: poronkusema, and that will probably never serve you, but it's pretty funny! Poronkusema corresponds to the distance a reindeer can travel before they want to urinate. In real units of measurement, this distance is about 7 kilometers.
6. Koselig
One can say in large part, that it is a feeling of well-being and warmth that inspires you a cosy interior, for example, or the warm atmosphere of a dinner with friends. "Koselig" is translated by most dictionaries by friendly, charming, pleasant. " Å kose" will be translated into caliner, making a hug. "In kosestund" becomes a pleasant or tender moment. And "å kose seg" is made by making fun, spending time pleasantly.
How to learn other expressions and vocabulary in Norwegian?
Before traveling to Norway, it may be interesting for you to assimilate some expressions and phrases that return regularly. For this, we advise you to look at the list of small books of expression below:
- Norwegian pocket - French-Norvegian Vocabulary for self-training - Learn Norwegian - Norwegian pocket
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