If you are an English speaker heading to Norway for the first time, you might be relieved to know that English is widely spoken in Norway. Most every Norwegian can speak fluent English, and tourism information is usually printed in English, too.
But, if you want to flatter some Norwegians with a modest attempt at a few words, check out the following common words you might want to use or need on your trip. (Just be sure to learn a bit about the culture to avoid being offensive.)
Before You Begin
Norwegian is a Germanic language and is closely related to Danish and Swedish. Written Norwegian is virtually identical to Danish. Swedes, Norwegians, and the Danish understand each other easily. Norwegian is also related to Icelandic, German, Dutch, and English.
Pronunciation Guide
When trying to pronounce words in Norwegian, some knowledge of a Scandinavian language is useful, while knowledge of German or Dutch can also be helpful in understanding written Norwegian. Compared to English, the vowels are different; however, most consonants are pronounced similarly to English. Below are a few exceptions.
| Letter | Pronunciation in English |
|---|---|
| A | "a" sound in father |
| E | "e" sound in bed |
| I | "ea" sound in beat |
| U | "oo" sound in food |
| Æ | "a" sound in mad |
| Ø | "u" sound in hurt |
| Å | "a" sound in ball |
| J | "y" sound in yes |
| R | rolled slightly more than English "r" |
| KJ, KI and KY | soft "k" sound without blocking the throat, air makes a sound as squeezes out |
| SJ, SKY, SKJ and SKI | "sh" sound as in shop |
Common Words and Greetings
Tolerance and kindness to each other are important values in the land of Norway where "Peace and Progress" is the motto of the country. Greetings can go a long way in the home of the Nobel Prize.
| English Word/Phrase | Norwegian Word/Phrase |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nei |
| Thank you | Takk |
| Thank you very much | Tusen takk |
| You're welcome | Vær så god |
| Please | Vær så snill |
| Excuse me | Unnskyld meg |
| Hello | Hallo |
| Goodbye | Ha det |
| I do not understand | Jeg forstår ikke |
| How do you say this in Norwegian | Hvordan sier man dette på norsk? |
Words for Getting Around
Norway is a land of immense natural beauty that has 50 airports, eight of them are international. Once in the country, the public transportation system is a reliable way of seeing the country. You can also rent a car, but watch for moose along the road, especially in the mountains.
| English Word/Phrase | Norwegian Word/Phrase |
|---|---|
| Where is ...? | Hvor er ...? |
| How much is the fare? | Hvor mye koster billetten? |
| One ticket to ..., please | En billett til ..., takk |
| Train | Tog |
| Bus | Buss |
| Norwegian Subway, Underground | T-bane |
| Airport | Flyplass |
| Train station | Jernbanestasjon |
| Bus station | Busstasjon |
| Are there any vacancies for tonight? | Er det noe ledig for i natt? |
| No vacancies | Alt opptatt |
Spending Money
Handmade woolsweaters, troll dolls, painted wooden figurines, crystal, glassware, and leather and fur jackets are among Norway's most popular souvenirs. Prices can be high, but keep in mind that you may be entitled to a refund of the 25 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) when you leave the country. Keep an eye out for the “Tax-Free” logo at souvenirstores.
| English Word/Phrase | Norwegian Word/Phrase |
|---|---|
| How much does this cost? | Hvor mye koster dette? |
| What is this? | Hva er dette? |
| I'll buy it | Jeg kjøper det |
| I would like to buy ... | Jeg vil gjerne ha ... |
| Do you have ... | Har du ... |
| Do you accept credit cards? | Tar dere kredittkort? |
| One | en |
| Two | to |
| Three | tre |
| Four | fire |
| Five | fem |
| Six | seks |
| Seven | sju |
| Eight | åtte |
| Nine | ni |
| Ten | ti |
Tourist Essentials
Some get a chance to explore the pristine forests and fjords of Norway, but others never get past the capital city of Oslo. Know the words for facilities around Norway.
| English Word/Phrase | Norwegian Word/Phrase |
|---|---|
| Norwegian Tourist Information | Turistinformasjon |
| Museum | Museum |
| Bank | Bank |
| Police Station | Politistasjon |
| Hospital | Sykehus |
| Store, Shop | Butikk |
| Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Church | Kirke |
| Restrooms | Toalett |
Days of the Week
It can be helpful to know your days of the week especially if you are handling your flights and hotel booking, scheduling some guided tours, or amending your itinerary.
| English Word/Phrase | Norwegian Word/Phrase |
|---|---|
| Monday | Mandag |
| Tuesday | Tirsdag |
| Wednesday | Onsdag |
| Thursday | Torsdag |
| Friday | Fredag |
| Saturday | Lørdag |
| Sunday | Søndag |
| Today | I dag |
| Yesterday | I går |
| Tomorrow | I morgen |
| Day | Dag |
| Week | Uke |
| Month | Måned |
| Year | År |
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