Essential Norwegian Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Norwegian words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation,
please see the Pronunciation Guide below.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ...

The Top 10 ...

Goddag.

Hello.
Ha det.
Goodbye.
Snakker De engelsk?
Do you speak English?
Jeg forstår ikke.
I don't understand.
Litt.
A little.
Ja. Nei.
Yes. No.
Hvor mye koster det?

How much is it?
For dyrt. Greit.
Too expensive. OK.
Vær så snill.
Takk.
Please.
(Tusen) takk.
Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...
	Hva heter De? What is your name? Jeg heter ... My name is ... Hvordan har De det? How are you? Bra. Og med Dem? Fine. And you? Hvor er ...? Where is ...? Hvor er toalettet? Herrer/Damer Where is the toilet? Men/Women Beklager. Unnskyld. Sorry. Excuse me. Ikke noe problem. No problem. Jeg vil ... I want ... Jeg vil ikke ... I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...

The Top 30 ...

Hvor er De fra?
Where are you from?
Jeg er fra Australia.
I am from Australia.
Regningen, takk.
The bill, please.
Jeg har gått meg bort.
I'm lost.
Stopp! Vent!
Stop! Wait!
Her, der, der borte.
Here, there, over there.
Drosje. Hotell. Flyplass. Stasjon.
Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station.
Jeg liker ...
I like ...
Jeg liker ikke ...
I don't like ...

en, to, tre, fire, fem.
one, two, three, four, five.
seks, syv, åtte, ni, ti.
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

*Or choose your country:
Amerika - America
Canada - Canada
England - England
Irland - Ireland
New Zealand - New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...

Useful Extras ...

Skål!
Cheers!

god / dårlig
good / bad
stor / liten
big / small
nær / langt
near / far
mindre / mer
less / more
en annen / nok
another / enough

Jeg er vegetarianer.
I am vegetarian.
Jeg spiser ikke kjøtt.
I don't eat meat.
... kylling.
... chicken.
... fisk.
... fish.

Jeg er allergisk mot nøtter.
I am allergic to nuts.
... peanøtter.
... peanuts.
... fisk.
... fish.
... sjømat.
... seafood.
... egg.
... eggs.

Pronunciation Guide

Vowels:
æ is pronounced as a as in hat or e as in pet (ɛ)
å is pronounced as as o in pot (ɔ)
au is pronounced as æʉ
unstressed e is pronounced as e as in brother (ə)
long o is pronounced as u
ø is pronounced as ir as in bird
øj is pronounced as øü
u is pronounced either as u or as Norwegian y but with compressed not protruded lips (ʉ)
y is pronounced as German ü, ie. an i with rounded lips (IPA y)

Consonants:
j is pronounced as y as in yet (IPA j)
g before æ, e, i, ø or y and gj are pronounced as y as in yet (IPA j)
-ig at the end of a word is pronounced as i
gn is pronounced as in, eg. regningen is pronounced as reiningen
hv is pronounced as v
k is pronounced as k as in kick, with a puff of air (kʰ)
k before æ, e, i, ø or y, kj and tj are pronounced as h as in huge (IPA ç)
p is pronounced as p as in pat, with a puff of air (pʰ)
rd, rl, rn, rs and rt are pronounced as retroflex consonants (ɖ ɭ, ɳ ʂ and ʈ), the r is silent
(Hint: Retroflex consonants are made with the tongue curled back against the palate.)
sk before æ, e, i, ø or y and skj are pronounced as sh as in shop (ʃ)
sl is pronounced as retroflex sl, like shl (ʂɭ)
t is pronounced as t as in top, with a puff of air (tʰ)
v is pronounced as ʋ (midway between w and v)

Please note:
De and de is pronounced as di
det is pronounced as dɛ
og is pronounced as å
jeg, meg, deg and seg and pronounced as jej, mej, dej and sej

The two tones used in Norwegian words are often heard as a singsong voice.