One of the more challenging aspects of learning Norwegian is the varying dialects. While Norway has two written standards, bokmål and nynorsk, there is no spoken standard. For Norwegian learners, this can sometimes make listening comprehension a difficult thing to master. For the more advanced learner, they may want to pick a dialect to learn and use, so they sound more “natural” when speaking Norwegian.
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Short Answer & Discourse Particles
Short answer
In English, when you’re asked a question, you might give a short answer in reply, such as “Yes, I do” or “No, I don’t.”. In Norwegian, there are a few ways to write short answers.
To think, to know, to see
Some verbs in Norwegian have more than one word that can be used, but when to use which word can be difficult. Three examples are “to think,” “to know,” and “to see.”
Norwegian Slang, Insults, and Swears
When learning a new language, it is helpful to learn some of the slang. This will help improve your listening skills, whether you’re having a conversation with a Norwegian or just watching TV or a film in Norwegian, etc. It will also help you sound a bit more natural when you speak the language.
This lesson will cover slang words, insults, and swear words (I know they can overlap).
Godt nyttår!
The new year is right around the corner, many Norwegians make New Year’s resolutions (nyttårsforsett), attend parties, and drink champagne, but those are not the only things that Norwegians do to ring in the New Year.
[Read More]Christmastime in Norway
Christmas Markets
Many Norwegians tend to love the Christmas season. In fact, they kick off the season in November actually, with Christmas markets. There are many Christmas markets that pop up all around Norway. At these markets, one can purchase all kinds of crafts, toys, and other goodies. Just be forewarned that the items at the markets are not cheap. One popular “market” is Pepperkakebyen in Bergen, where one can find the world’s largest gingerbread town. (Pepperkakebyen isn’t technically a market, but was listed among other markets).
[Read More]Nynorsk
Often, new learners of Norwegian will inevitably ask if someone speaks bokmål or nynorsk, to which they get informed that bokmål and nynorsk are not spoken languages but rather written standards. Instead, Norwegians speak their local dialect (or sometimes a mix of dialects, if they have moved around). Some dialects are closer to bokmål and some are closer to nynorsk. But how does one language end up with two written standards?