It’s that time of year again…when the temperatures start to cool, the leaves begin to change colors, and rain is more frequent. In this lesson, we’ll look at what autumn is like in Norway and go over some autumn vocabulary.
Grammar Review
Sentence structure
While most Norwegian sentences use the subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, like English does, Norwegian does have the V2 (verb second) rule. If an adverbial phrase or subordinate clause is at the front of the sentence, the subject and the verb have to switch places (this is called “inversion”) so that the verb stays in the second position.
| Eksempel | English | |
|---|---|---|
SVO |
Oliver jobbet ti timer i går. |
Oliver worked ten hours yesterday. |
Emilie laget lunsj mens barna lekte. |
Emilie made lunch while the children played. |
|
V2 |
I går jobbet Oliver ti timer. |
Yesterday, Oliver worked for ten hours. |
Mens barna lekte, laget Emilie lunsj. |
While the children played, Emilie made lunch. |
If a sentence has more than one verb, the second verb will be in a nonfinite form (e.g. å finne). If the sentence has inversion, then the subject will come between the finite (i.e. conjugated) verb and the nonfinite verb.
| Eksempel | English | |
|---|---|---|
SVO |
Markus begynte å lese den nye boken i går. |
Markus started reading the new book yesterday. |
August prøvde å lage middag da moren hans kom på besøk. |
August tried to make dinner when his mother came to visit. |
|
V2 |
I går begynte Markus å lese den nye boken. |
Yesterday, Markus began to read the new book. |
Da Augusts mor kom på besøk, prøvde han å lage middag. |
When August’s mom came to visit, he tried to make dinner. |
Verb Conjugation
Conjugating present tense of verbs in Norwegian is fairly simple. Most present tense verbs just add an -r to the end of the infinitive.
| Infinitive | Present | English | Infinitive | Present | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Å tegne |
Tegner |
Draws / Drawing |
Å spille |
Spiller |
Plays / Playing |
Å besøke |
Besøker |
Visits / Visiting |
Å reise |
Reiser |
Travels / Travelling |
There are some exceptions / irregulars:
Infinitive |
Present |
English |
Infinitive |
Present |
English |
Å kunne |
Kan |
To be able to |
Å måtte |
Må |
To have to |
Å skulle |
Skal |
To have to; to be going to |
Å ville |
Vil |
To want |
Å være |
Er |
To be |
Å vite |
Vet |
To know |
Past tense conjugation is a bit more difficult, however there are some guidelines (but keep in mind there are exceptions).
-
If the verb ends with a double consonant, consonant cluster, or voiced plosive (b / d), past tense will end in -et.
-
If the verb ends in a single consonant (except v / b / d), past tense ends in -te.
-
If the verb ends with v or diphthong, the past tense ends in -de.
-
If the verb has only one syllable with a long vowel, past tense ends in -dde.
Rule Number |
Infinitive |
Past Tense |
English |
1 |
Å snakke |
Snakket |
Talked |
Å ønske |
Ønsket |
Wished |
|
2 |
Å lære |
Lærte |
Learned |
Å kjøpe |
Kjøpte |
Bought |
|
3 |
Å leve |
Levde |
Lived |
Å pleie |
Pleide |
Used |
|
4 |
Å bo |
Bodde |
Lived |
For future tense, typically the present tense verb is used with a time adverbial to clarify it is a future action.
Eksempel |
English |
Filip jobber ikke i morgen. |
Filip doesn’t work tomorrow. |
Ella har fest neste helg. |
Ella is having a party next weekend. |
Adjective Basics
Adjectives typically have to agree with the gender and the number of the noun.
| Singular Indefinite | Plural Indefinite | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Norwegian |
English |
Norwegian |
English |
|
Masculine |
En stor varulv |
A big werewolf |
Store varulver |
Big werewolves. |
En ond edderkopp |
An evil spider |
Onde edderkopper |
Evil spiders |
|
Feminine |
Ei stor flaggermus |
A big bat |
Store flaggermus |
Big bats |
Ei ond kråke |
An evil crow |
Onde kråker |
Evil crows |
|
Neuter |
Et stort gresskar |
A big pumpkin |
Store gresskar |
Big pumpkins |
Et ondt beist |
An evil beast |
Onde beist |
Evil beasts |
|
When the noun is in the definite form, the adjective takes an -e ending (like in the plural indefinite above).
| Singular Definite | Plural Definite | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Norwegian |
English |
Norwegian |
English |
|
Masculine |
Den store varulven |
The big werewolf |
De store varulvene |
The big werewolves |
Denne onde edderkoppen |
This evil spider |
Disse onde edderkoppene |
These evil spiders |
|
Feminine |
Den store flaggermusa |
The big bat |
De store flaggermusene |
The big bats |
Denne onde kråka |
This evil crow |
Disse onde kråkene |
These evil crows |
|
Neuter |
Det store gresskaret |
The big pumpkin |
De store gresskara |
The big pumpkins |
Dette onde beistet |
This evil beast |
Disse onde beista |
These evil beasts |
|
Autumn in Norway
While the peak tourist season in Norway is in the summer, there is still much to do and see in the autumn. The weather can range from summer-like temperatures in September to possible snow in November. Wind and rain are more frequent in the autumn months.
Many Norwegians enjoy nature hikes in the mountains during these months. If you do go hiking this time of year, pay attention to weather advisories (it is recommended that certain trails are not travelled on during autumn because they can become dangerous). The leaves changing color make for a beautiful display. This is also a great time of year to see the Northern Lights (your best chance to see them is above the Arctic Circle). Of course, if you don’t like to be outside in the chillier temperatures, autumn is a great for gathering with friends and / or family and experience the feeling of “kos”… the feeling of comfort, coziness, and warmth one feels with the right atmosphere.
In the autumn, there are many art exhibits, cultural festivals, and concerts that one can attend. For example, there is the HøstJazz jazz festival in Sola, the Dark Season music festival in Kristiansand, and the Sørveiv-Live arts festival also in Kristiansand. Between the end of September and the beginning of October, school children have a week holiday and many museums have special activities for the kids.
While Halloween is not a big holiday in Norway, it has slowly started catching on in more recent years, especially among younger Norwegians. Those who do get into the spirit tend to keep decorations to a minimum. Young children might go trick-or-treating around their neighborhood. Some Norwegians may throw themed costume parties the weekend before Oct 31st. There are also supposedly haunted places in Norway that one can visit. In Stavanger, there is a Halloween Walk where you can learn about the local haunts.
Autumn Vocab
Nouns & Adjectives
Autumn |
Høst (en) |
Acorn |
Eikenøtt (ei) |
Autumn equinox |
Høstjevndøgn (en) |
Apple cider |
Eplesider (en) |
Apple orchard |
Eplehage (en) |
Apple pie |
Eplepai (en) |
Bat |
Flaggermus (ei) |
Beast |
Beist (et) |
Bonfire |
Bål (et) |
Bounty |
Dusør (en) |
Brisk |
Rask |
Caramel apple |
Karamelleple (et) |
Cauldron / Kettle |
Kjele (en) |
Cemetery / Graveyard |
Gravplass (en) / |
Chestnut |
Kastanje (en) |
Chilly |
Kjølig |
Cobweb |
Spindelvev (et) |
Coffin |
Kiste (en) |
Colorful |
Fargerik |
Corn (on the cob) |
Mais(kolbe) (en) |
Cornfield |
Maisåker (en) |
Cornucopia (aka “Horn of Plenty”) |
Overflødighetshorn (et) (se bildet på side 8) |
Corpse |
Lik (et) |
Cozy |
Koselig |
Cranberry |
Tranebær (et) |
Creature |
Skapning (en) |
Crisp |
Sprø |
Crop |
Avling (ei) |
Crow |
Kråke (ei) |
Danger |
Fare (en) |
Dangerous |
Farlig |
Darkness |
Mørke (et) |
Death |
Døden |
Deciduous |
Lauvfellende |
Demon |
Demon (en) |
Devil |
Djevel (en) |
Dusk / Twilight |
Skumring (en) |
Eerie |
Uhyggelig |
Eggnog |
Eggelikør (en) |
Evil / Wicked |
Ond |
Falling leaves |
Fallende blader |
Fear |
Frykt (en) |
Feast |
Festmåltid (et) |
Fireplace |
Peis (en) |
Fog |
Tåke (ei) |
Foggy |
Tåkete |
Foliage |
Løvverk (et) |
Ghost |
Spøkelse (et) / Gjenferd (et) |
Ghost story |
Spøkelseshistorie (en) |
Goblin |
Goblin (en) |
Goose / Geese |
Gås (ei) / Gjess |
Goosebumps |
Gåsehud (en) |
Gourd |
Kalebass (en) |
Grave |
Grav (ei) |
Gravestone / Tombstone |
Gravstein (en) |
Grim Reaper |
Mannen med ljåen |
Grotesque |
Grotesk |
Harvest |
Innhøsting (en) |
Haunted |
Hjemsøkt |
Hay |
Høy (et) |
Haybale |
Høyball (en) |
Hazelnut |
Hasselnøtt (ei) |
Hearth |
Ildsted (et) |
Hoodie |
Hettegenser (en) |
Horror film |
Skrekkfilm (en) |
Hurricane |
Orkan (en) |
Jack-o-lantern |
Gresskarlykt (ei) |
Magic |
Magi (en) |
Maple syrup |
Lønnesirup (en) |
Maple tree |
Lønnetre (et) |
Midnight |
Midnatt |
Monster |
Monster (et) |
Murder |
Mord (et) |
Murderer |
Morder (en) |
Murderous |
Morderisk |
Mysterious |
Mystisk |
Mystery |
Mysterium (et) |
Nature |
Natur (en) |
Nightmare |
Mareritt (et) |
Nocturnal animal |
Nattdyr (et) |
November |
November |
Nut |
Nøtt (ei) |
October |
Oktober |
Occult |
Okkult |
Odor |
Lukt (ei) |
Omen |
Jærtegn (et) |
Ominous |
Illevarslende |
Orchard |
Frukthage (en) |
Owl |
Ugle (en) |
Pale |
Blek |
Paranormal |
Paranormal |
Phenomenon |
Fenomen (et) |
Pinecone |
Kongle (ei) |
Pine tree |
Furutre (et) |
Predator |
Rovdyr (et) |
Prey |
Bytte(dyr) (et) |
Pumpkin |
Gresskar (et) |
Pumpkin patch |
Gresskaråker (en) |
Pumpkin pie |
Gresskarpai (en) |
Quilt |
Lappeteppe (et) / Kvilt (en) |
Rain |
Regn (et) |
Raincoat |
Regnjakke (en) |
Raven |
Ravn (en) |
Risk |
Risiko (en) |
Ritual |
Ritual (et) |
Scarf |
Skjerf (et) |
Scarecrow |
Fugleskremsel (et) |
Scary |
Skummelt |
Scream |
Skrik (et) |
Scythe |
Ljå (en) |
Season |
Årstid (en) |
September |
September |
Shadow |
Skygge (en) |
Shapeshifter |
Hamløper (en) |
Sinister |
Ondskapsfull / Skremmende / Skummel |
Skeleton |
Skjelett (et) |
Sorcery |
Trolldom (en) |
Soul |
Sjel (ei) |
Spell |
Trylleformel (en) |
Spellbound |
Trollbundet |
Spider |
Edderkopp (en) |
Spirit |
Ånd (en) |
Spooky / Creepy |
Skummel |
Squash |
Squash (en) |
Squirrel |
Ekorn (et) |
Stench |
Stank (en) |
Strange |
Rar |
Straw (hay) |
Strå (et) |
Supernatural |
Overnaturlig |
Superstition |
Overtro (ei) |
Sweat |
Svette (en) |
Sweater |
Genser (en) |
Sweet potato |
Søtpotet (en) |
Sweet potato pie |
Søtpotetpai (en) |
Terror |
Skrekk |
Tractor |
Traktor (en) |
Turkey |
Kalkun (en) |
Umbrella |
Paraply (en) |
Vampire |
Vampyr (en) |
Wagon |
Vogn (ei) |
Walnut |
Valnøtt (ei) |
Werewolf |
Varulv (en) |
Wheat |
Hvete |
Whisper |
Hvisk (et) |
Witch |
Heks (en) |
Wolf |
Ulv (en) |
Zombie |
Zombie (en) |
Verbs
To be afraid |
Å være redd |
To be startled |
Å kveppe / kvekke / skvette |
To cackle |
Å kakle |
To cast a spell |
Å kaste en forbannelse |
To chant |
Å messe |
To conjure |
Å trylle |
To crackle |
Å knitre |
To crawl |
Å krabbe |
To creak |
Å knirke |
To creep |
Å krype |
To crochet |
Å hekle |
To fear |
Å frykte |
To grab / grip |
Å gripe |
To harvest / reap |
Å høste |
To haunt |
Å hjemsøke |
To hibernate |
Å gå i dvale |
To hide |
Å gjemme |
To howl |
Å hyle / Å ule |
To groan |
Å stønne |
To growl |
Å knurre |
To kill |
Å drepe |
To knit |
Å strikke |
To murder |
Å myrde |
To possess (i.e. by a ghost) |
Å besette |
To quilt |
Å kvilte |
To rake (i.e. leaves) |
Å rake |
To rustle |
Å rasle |
To scare |
Å skremme |
To scream |
Å skrike |
To shapeshift |
Å skifte ham |
To shiver |
Å skjelve |
To spook |
Å spøke |
To stab |
Å stikke |
To torture |
Å torturere |
To whisper |
Å hviske |
To yell |
Å rope |
Phrases
Rest in peace - Hvil i fred
Trick or treat - “Knask eller knep” ELLER “Digg eller deng”
That gave me chills - Det ga meg frysninger
**If the lesson was beneficial, please consider buying me a virtual coffee. Thanks.**
Resources:
Exercise: Write a ghost story together.