Norwegian Phrases

Norway, situated in Northwestern Europe, presents an enticing prospect for both travel and career opportunities. Mastering the Norwegian language unlocks numerous avenues for exploration and employment. Remarkably, for English speakers, acquiring Norwegian phrases proves to be surprisingly straightforward.

Norwegian - Past and Present

The Norwegian language of today is steeped in history, and has developed from Old Norse and various unions with other countries. 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. By the time Norway joined Sweden, the country wanted independence and a national language. These plans did not come to fruition and the two main variants of the Norwegian language are 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 they speak in 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.

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Studying the Norwegian Language

Adding Norwegian to your CV will definitely separate you from the crowd. Whether it is for personal or professional purposes, studying Norwegian will enable you to learn about the people, their culture and their history. It will add a different dimension to your travels, and help you to interact with people. Learning a language can increase your brain power and improve your memory as you switch between different languages and memorise new vocabulary. Learning anything new is a challenge and can be overwhelming. Lack of confidence often acts as a barrier to new experiences, and we begin to doubt ourselves before we even try. Surely, it can’t be that easy 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. This is where Babbel can help you begin your learning journey.

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

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Millions of language learners worldwide trust Babbel, just like you. Many have achieved success in mastering a new language and have even pursued further language learning endeavors. Developed by over 150 language experts, Babbel offers an innovative digital course that distills the finest academic teaching methods. With voice recognition technology, Babbel guides your spoken Norwegian from the outset. You can tailor the course to 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 it's never a chore.

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