The Most Common Norwegian Phrases You Need To Know

Norwegian, with its melodic tones and rich cultural heritage, offers a fascinating glimpse into the heart of Scandinavia. For those looking to connect with Norway's vibrant communities or explore its breathtaking landscapes, mastering a few common phrases can be incredibly rewarding. 

No matter what your reason for learning Norwegian, understanding these essential expressions will not only enhance your communication skills but also deepen your appreciation for the nuances of Norwegian culture. In this article, we will explore some of the most common phrases that will help you navigate everyday conversations and immerse yourself in the Norwegian language.

The First Norwegian Words You Should Know

If you only take away one or two things from this guide, let it be words like “yes” or “thank you.” Note: In most cases where you’d normally say “please” in English, it’s more common in Norway to say takk (“thank you”) instead of the literal equivalent of “please.” When in doubt, just say takk to be polite.

• ja — yes

• nei — no

• vær så snill — please

• takk — thank you

• unnskyld — excuse me

• Hvordan har du det? — How are you?

• beklager — I’m sorry

Basic Norwegian Phrases For Introducing Yourself

There are few conversations that don’t begin with “hello.” It’s important to know how to offer a friendly greeting, no matter the context of the interaction. Though you can probably just remember that the Norwegian hei sounds a bit like “hey” in English, here are a couple extra greetings you can use at different times of the day.

• hei — hello

• god morgen — good morning

• god kveld — good evening

• god natt — good night

• ha det — bye

Next, you’ll want to be able to introduce yourself and get to know the other person. In Norway, it’s the norm to address people with du (the informal “you”) and their first name. Unlike in other European languages such as German and French that frequently use a formal form of address, the polite form Dere is only rarely used in official situations.

• Jeg heter... — My name is...

• Jeg kommer fra... — I’m from...

• Hva heter du? — What is your name?

Basic Norwegian Sentences For Travel

You’re going to get hungry at some point. Although you’ll probably need to study up on some basic food vocabulary, here are the Norwegian phrases you’ll want to use when interacting with a waiter.

• Kan jeg få menyen, takk? — Can I have the menu, please?

• Kan vi få bestille, takk? — Can we order, please?

• Jeg vil gjerne ha en flaske vann. — I would like a bottle of water.

• Hva vil du drikke? — What would you like to drink?

• Kan jeg få regningen, takk. — Can I get the bill, please.

We all get lost, even in places we think we know well. If and when your map can’t help you, it’s good to know how to politely ask someone for directions. It’s even better to be able to make out what they say to you in response.

• Unnskyld, hvor ligger den nærmeste banken? — Excuse me, where is the nearest bank?

• Kan du vise meg det på kartet? — Can you show me on the map?

• Sving til venstre. — Turn to the left.

• Ta første vei til høyre. — Take the first road on the right.

• rett fram — straight ahead

While most hotel booking these days is done online, it’s still a good idea to know how to interact with, and understand, the front desk concierge. May your check-in go just a little more smoothly.

• God morgen. Hva kan jeg hjelpe dere med? — Good morning. How can I help you?

• Kan jeg få nøkkelen, takk? — Can I get the key, please?

• Jeg vil gjerne ha et enkeltrom. — I would like to have a single room.

• Jeg har bestilt et enkeltrom for to netter. — I have reserved a single room for two nights.

• Når serveres frokosten? — When is breakfast served?

Common Norwegian Sayings

Norwegian, like any other language, is filled with idioms and sayings that won’t necessarily make sense to you when you translate them word for word. Still, starting to add in a few Norwegian sayings will make you feel like a much more natural speaker. Here are just a few of the most common, but there are hundreds out there.

• Å være på bærtur. — literally “to be on a berry trip,” this phrase refers to people who are confused, or way off track.

• Ut på tur, aldri sur. — literally “Out on a hike, never grumpy,” this means that people aren’t ever unhappy when outdoors. This phrase gives you some insight into how connected Norwegians are to nature.

• Å snakke rett fra leveren — literally “To speak from the liver,” this phrase sounds a lot like “to speak from the heart,” but has to do more with speaking in a straightforward manner.

• En gladlaks — if you say you’re “a happy salmon” it’s similar to the English phrase “happy as a clam.” 

• Det er helt Texas! — literally “That is so Texas!” which means “that’s crazy!” The phrase is not meant to call modern Texans crazy, but started popping up when Westerns became popular in Norwegian movie theatres.

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