Norwegian Phrases

Norwegian — the past and the present

The Norwegian language of today is steeped in history. It developed from Old Norse and various unions with other languages. From 1536 to 1814, Norway was joined with Denmark. Danish was used as the Kingdom’s written language, but the spoken language progressed into a more simplified version of Danish, with pronunciation of words more akin to the Norwegian language. Norway later joined Sweden, but by then the country wanted independence and a national language. These plans didn't come to fruition exactly, and modern Norwegian still has two variants: Bokmal (“book tongue” or “book Norwegian”) and Nynorsk (“new Norwegian”). Today, Bokmal and Nynorsk are the two forms of written Norwegian. Both have the same legal recognition and Norwegians are educated in both. Most people use Bokmal when writing, but when speaking use local dialects, which are closer to the Nynorsk form of the language. Spoken Norwegian is very much based on dialect, and the regional variances can be huge. Don't let that scare you, though!

Studying the Norwegian language

Whether it is for personal or professional purposes, studying Norwegian will enable you to learn about the people, their culture and their history. The language will add a new dimension to your travels, helping you interact with people that you couldn't before. Learning a language can also increase your brain power and improve your memory as you switch between different languages and memorize new vocabulary.

Learning anything new can feel overwhelming. Lack of confidence often acts as a barrier to new experiences, and one of the biggest hurdles is becoming discouraged. Surely, it must be very difficult to learn a new language. What about grammar and pronunciation? How do I know if I am getting it right? How can I possibly remember so many new words? You may not know where to start, and that's where Babbel comes in.

Useful Norwegian Phrases for beginners

• Good morning/good evening — God morgen/god kveld

• My name is — Jeg heter

• Please — Vær så snill

• Thank you — Takk

• How are you? — Hvordan har du det?

• I’m sorry — Beklager

• Goodbye — Ha det

Build your Norwegian skills with Babbel

Millions of language learners worldwide trust Babbel. Developed by over 150 language experts, Babbel offers an innovative digital course that distills the finest academic teaching methods. With voice recognition technology, Babbel will guide your Norwegian pronunciation from the outset. You can tailor our courses to meet you at your level and commit just 15 minutes a day anytime, anywhere. Learning becomes enjoyable with personalized, real-world content that encourages immediate application of new skills, ensuring that learning doesn't feel like a chore. What are you waiting for?