How to speak Norwegian

Learning Norwegian isn't as much of a time commitment as you might think. With Babbel, learning Norwegian online is easy, intuitive, and all under your control: learn at your own pace, choose the lessons you want, and review vocabulary on the go. Norwegian is a close cousin to English, with thousands of words and grammar rules in common. Although mastering the accent and pronunciation can be difficult at first, Babbel’s online courses include speech recognition so you can quickly become comfortable with speaking. Read the guide below, then test your skills with a free Norwegian lesson.

Lerne Norwegisch

Reasons to learn Norwegian

Beyond its breathtaking landscapes and historic towns, Norway stands out as a leader in diverse fields, including energy, maritime industries, architecture, literature, fishing, and the unique concept of "slow TV." Whether you're considering a visit to Norway or contemplating a career move, the country offers compelling incentives. For those aspiring to a future in translation or interpreting, learning a less commonly spoken language like Norwegian is a strategic choice, ensuring a wealth of future opportunities. Norwegian, along with other Scandinavian languages, is experiencing growing demand. One thing to keep in mind, though: Norway has two official written languages—Bokmål (book language) and Nynorsk (new Norwegian).

Get started

5 tips for learning Norwegian

  • Begin by acquiring essential vocabulary

  • Familiarize yourself with a Norwegian song

  • Label household items with their Norwegian names

  • Practice speaking Norwegian daily

  • Develop an interactive lesson schedule

Ways to learn Norwegian

When it comes to learning Norwegian, you have several options to choose from: hiring a private tutor, enrolling in a language course (either in-person or online), self-study with audio courses, participating in an exchange program, or practicing conversational Norwegian with a native speaker (known as a tandem partner). Each of these approaches can be effective, although some may be costly, while classes and exchange programs require a significant time commitment. Immersion remains the fastest route to fluency, albeit requiring the most dedication. Moving to Norway provides the opportunity to learn the language through daily life experiences, often resulting in fluency within a few months due to the necessity of survival. For those with limited time, online programs such as Babbel offer a convenient alternative.

Learn Norwegian the Babbel way

Babbel’s Norwegian course is affordable, accessible, and proven to strengthen your reading, listening, speaking and comprehension skills. As a Babbel user, you have a diverse program of exercises covering grammar, conjugation, pronunciation, listening comprehension and writing. Plus, you can practice online or via your iPhone or Android device. Whether you're too busy for a language class, a complete beginner, needing to brush up before a vacation or business trip, or wanting to re-learn everything you've forgotten since high school, Babbel can meet your needs.

Try your first Norwegian lesson for free and discover Babbel’s easy and intuitive course system, which determines your individual level and accommodates different learning styles. You can learn at your own pace, set your own lesson plans and receive helpful hints whenever you need them. You will also be joining an entire community of learners.

Get started

Recommended by learners like you