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).
Salutations
Heisann. |
Hi. |
Alt bra med deg? |
Everything good with you? |
Mårn. |
Morning. |
Hva skjer? |
What’s up? / What’s happening? |
Hva har du drevet med? |
What have you been up to? |
Er du med? |
Are you up for it? / Are you in? |
Ha det (bra). |
Bye |
Ha det moro! |
Have fun! / Enjoy! |
Jeg drar. |
I’m off. (I’m leaving). |
Hils |
Regards (e.g. Give my regards to them). |
“Er du med” and “Er du gira” are used when you want to ask someone if they want to hang out and / or go do something?
Ex: Jeg vil spille D&D. Er du med? (Er du gira?)
I want to play D&D. Are you up for it? / Are you in?
“Hils” is something you say to someone when you want them to say hi from you
Ex: Person 1: Jeg skal besøke Lucas.
Person 2: Okay, hils.
Person 1: I’m going to visit Lucas.
Person 2: Okay, give him my regards / say hi to him for me.
Expressing that something is great
Sometimes we want to express our appreciation or our enthusiasm for something (or someone) that we think is wonderful.
| Slang | Meaning | Example | English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
Fantastisk |
Fantastic |
Filmen var fantastisk! |
The film was fantastic! |
2. |
Alle tiders |
Best of times |
Det var en alle tiders tur. |
It was best trip of all times. |
Han var en alle tiders skuespiller. |
He was the best actor of all times. |
|||
3. |
Lættis |
Funny |
Showet er så lættis |
The show is so funny. |
4. |
Kult / Schpaa / Fett |
Cool |
Person 1: Jeg fikk det nye videospillet. Person 2: Kult! / Schpaa! / Fett! |
Person 1: I got the new video game! Person 2: Cool! |
5. |
Dritkult |
Really cool |
Person 1: Jeg fikk autografen hans! Person 2: Dritkult! |
Person 1: I got his autograph! Person 2: That’s really cool! |
6. |
Adda |
So cool! |
Person 1: Jeg har billetter til konserten! Person 2: Adda! |
Person 1: I have tickets to the concert! |
7. |
Schmø |
Fine; nice |
Det var schmø. |
It was fine / nice. |
8. |
Sykt (bra) |
Very good |
Det trikset var helt sykt! |
That trick was totally sick / awesome! |
9. |
Knallbra |
Awesome |
Festen var knallbra! |
The party was awesome! |
Expressing that something is bad
Of course, there are times when we really want to express our disappointment or disgust in something (or someone).
| Slang | Meaning | Example | English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
Klein |
To be hungover or embarrassed; or to feel awkward during a conversation |
Da han snakket med meg, var det kleint. |
When he was talking with me, I was awkward. |
Da jeg våknet, var jeg klein. |
When I woke up, I was hungover. |
|||
2. |
Døll |
Dull, boring |
Festen er så døll. |
The party is so boring. |
3. |
Det var litt på kanten. |
Something that crossed the line. |
Hans vitsen var litt på kanten. |
His joke crossed the line. |
4. |
God s |
Short for “god stemning” (meaning having a good time) but used sarcastically (i.e. not having a good time). |
Person 1: Har du det gøy på turen? Person 2: Med søsknene mine som irriterer meg? Ja, god s. |
Person 1: Are you having fun on the trip? Person 2: With my siblings annoying me? Yeah, good times. |
5. |
Æsj! |
Ew! |
Æsj! Orm er ekkelt! |
Ew! Worms are disgusting! |
6. |
Kjipt |
Sucks; unfortunate |
Person 1: Jeg mislyktes på eksamenen. Person 2: Det er kjipt. |
Person 1: I failed the exam. Person 2: That sucks. |
7. |
Fysj |
Used to express disgust; gross |
Person 1: Han vasket ikke hendene sine etter at han hadde brukt toalettet. Person 2: Fysj! |
Person 1: He didn’t wash his hands after he used the toilet. Person 2: Gross! |
Intensifiers
Sometimes just using an adjective doesn’t fully describe how we feel about something, so Norwegians will use intensifiers to emphasize the adjectives.
| Intensifier | Example | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
1. |
Kjempe |
Jeg var kjempeglad da jeg møtte Mads. |
I was extremely happy when I met Mads. |
2. |
Veldig |
Maten smaker veldig godt! |
The food tastes really good! |
3. |
Super |
Person 1: Jeg fikk jobben! |
Person 1: I got the job! Person 2: That is super awesome! |
4. |
Mega |
Han er megadeilig i den nye filmen! |
He looks extremely hot in the new film! |
5. |
Ekstremt |
Person 1: Han ble sparket fra jobben sin. |
Person 1: He was fired from his
job. |
6. |
Utrolig |
Der er utrolig mange kvinner her. |
There are a ton of women here. |
Note: “Super” can be used on its own to mean “great” or that something is “super” as in English.
Ex: Person 1: Sønnen min har vunnet konkurransen!
Person 2: Det er supert!
Person 1: My son has won the contest!
Person 2: That’s super!
Random Slang & Phrases
Most of the things in this table have a negative connotation while others are more neutral. There are also a few phrases / idioms that, while not technically slang, they are still odd (and make no sense when directly translated), so I thought I would include them. This is not an exhaustive list.
| Slang | Meaning | Example | English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
Serr |
Short for “seriøst,” which means “seriously” |
Person 1: Han var utro mot kjæresten sin. Person 2: Serr?! |
Person 1: He cheated on his partner. Person 2: Seriously?! |
2. |
Kødder du? |
Are you kidding? |
Person 1: Vi fikk oss en katt til. Person 2: Kødder du? |
Person 1: We got another cat. Person 2: Are you kidding me? |
3. |
Krangle |
Arguing / Quarreling |
Erik og Lukas krangler igjen. |
Erik and Lukas are quarreling again. |
4. |
Å hooke |
Hooking up (kissing; making out) |
De hooka på festen i går. |
They were making out at the party yesterday. |
5. |
Å shippe |
To ship two people (i.e. you want them in a relationship) |
Alle vet at jeg shipper Hannibal og Will. |
Everyone knows I ship Hannibal and Will. |
6. |
Å tæsje / bøffe |
To steal |
Tæsja / Bøffa du det? |
Did you steal it? |
7. |
Drøy(t) |
Too much information; or have a tendency to engage in TMI or take things too far. |
Du er drøy. |
You are giving too much info. |
Det var drøyt. |
That was too much info. |
|||
8. |
Brisen |
Tipsy |
Hun var brisen etter festen. |
She was tipsy after the party. |
9. |
Null komma nix |
Something that was done quickly; it was done in no time. |
Jeg gikk banken og var ferdig på null komma nix. |
I went to the bank and was done in no time. |
10. |
Hold kjeft! Hold smella! |
Shut up! |
Hold kjeft! Jeg kan ikke høre filmen! |
Shut up! I cannot hear the movie! |
11. |
Heldiggris (en) |
Someone who is lucky |
Person 1: Jeg vant noen kunstverk. Person 2: Heldiggris! |
Person 1: I won some artwork. |
12. |
Slikk og ingenting |
Nothing; very small amount |
Eieren trodde den var verdiløs, så jeg fikk bilen for en slikk og ingenting. |
The owner thought it was worthless so i got the car for (almost) nothing. |
13. |
Alkis (en) |
Alcoholic |
Broren din er en alkis. |
Your brother is an alcoholic. |
14. |
Det går i ett kjør. |
Everything happens really quickly, all at once, but kind of chaotic. |
Vi var så opptatt på jobb i dag. Det gikk i ett kjør. |
We were so busy at work today. It went by really fast. |
15. |
Å drite seg ut |
To make a fool of oneself |
Han dret seg ut da han var full. |
He was making a fool of himself when he was drunk. |
16. |
Laken |
1000 kroner note |
Du skylder meg ti laken. |
You owe me ten grand. (10000) |
17. |
Snut (en ) / Purk (en) |
Police |
Han ringte snuten / purken! |
He called the police! |
18. |
Sigg (en) |
Cigarette |
Kan jeg få en sigg? |
Can I get a cigarette? |
19. |
Hæ? |
Huh? What? |
Person 1: Hvor er biblioteket? |
Person 1: Where is the library? |
20. |
Drikkekamerat (en) |
Drinking buddy |
Tobias er drikkekameraten min. |
Tobias is my drinking buddy. |
21. |
Døddrukken |
Fall-over-drunk |
Hun var døddrukken i går kveld. |
She was fall-over-drunk last night. |
22. |
Ølbriller |
Beer glasses / goggles |
Du har ølbriller på. Han er egentlig ikke kjekk. |
You have beer goggles on. He is not really handsome. |
23. |
Skækk |
High / wasted (also: an answer for when someone asks about something obvious). |
Er du skækk eller? |
Are you high? |
24. |
Snik |
To be a sneaky person |
Sønnen hennes var en snik. |
Her son was being a sneaky (person). |
25. |
Mac(c)ern |
McDonald’s |
Jeg har mat fra Maccern hvis du er sulten. |
I have food from McDonald’s, if you’re hungry. |
26. |
Legg (en) |
ID card |
Jeg finner ikke leggen min! |
I can’t find my ID Card! |
27. |
Flæ |
Drunk |
Har du vært på flæ? |
Have you been drunk? |
28. |
DLEG |
Short for “du lever én gang.” YOLO |
Person 1: Skal du
hoppe i strikk?! |
Person 1: You’re going to bungee jump?! Person 2: Yep. YOLO. |
29. |
Ins |
Abbreviation (text) for “ikke noe spesielt.” (Nothing special). |
Person 1: Hva skal du på bursdagen din? |
Person 1: What are you doing on your birthday? |
30. |
Gerro |
Smoke |
Jeg hater menn som gerro. |
I hate men that smoke. |
31. |
Å chille |
To relax |
Jeg chiller denne helgen. |
I’m relaxing this weekend. |
32. |
Sofagris (en) |
Couch potato |
Broren min er en sofagris. |
My brother is a couch potato. |
33. |
Snørrbrems (en) |
Mustache |
Jeg liker snørrbremsen hans. |
I like his mustache. |
34. |
Helt texas |
Completely crazy (chaotic) |
Jeg har vært på shopping til jul på 23. desember og det var helt texas i butikken. |
I went shopping for Christmas on December 23rd and it was completely crazy in the store. |
35. |
Skjerp deg! |
Straighten up! Get yourself together. |
(Barn oppfører seg dårlig) |
(Child behaves badly) |
(Venn gjør noe galt) |
(Friend does something wrong) |
|||
36. |
Bombe |
Surprise (used sarcastically) |
Person 1: Han var full i
går. |
Person 1: He was drunk yesterday. |
37. |
Vors (et) (pronounced fors) |
Pre-party (get together before going out for drinks) |
Vi møtes for et vors i huset hans. |
We’re meeting for a pre-party at his house. |
38. |
Huttiheita |
Middle of nowhere |
Hun bor i huttiheita. |
She lives in the middle of nowhere. |
39. |
Uff! |
Ugh! (Expresses annoyance; frustration; exasperation) |
Uff! Må jeg gjøre alt arbeidet? |
Ugh! Must I do all the work? |
40. |
Kis (en) / Fyr (en) |
Dude |
Hva skjer, kis / fyr? |
What’s up, dude? |
41. |
Pell deg vekk |
Get lost / leave. |
Pell deg vekk herfra, din gris! |
Get away from here you pig! |
Note: Some of these words are more common in different areas, for example, slang that is considered “kebab-norsk” tends to be more common in Oslo and the surrounding areas.
“Contractions”
In Norwegian, technically there are no actual contractions of words. However, in spoken Norwegian, it is quite common. These are just a few examples, and are not a written standard and are only used in spoken Norwegian.
Contraction |
Word 1 |
Word 2 |
Meaning |
Kan’ke |
Kan |
Ikke |
Cannot |
Må’kke |
Må |
Must not |
|
Ska’kke |
Skal |
Shall not |
|
Vi’kke |
Vil |
Will not |
|
E’kke |
Er |
Is not |
|
Dra’kke |
Drar |
Not leaving |
|
Gå’kke |
Går |
Not going |
|
Va’kke |
Var |
Was not |
|
Ha’kke |
Har |
Have not |
Insults & Swears
It is important to note that, in Norwegian culture, swearing is pretty commonplace. In English, dropping an F-bomb would seem inappropriate in many settings (and many feel it should not be uttered by children), however in Norway, no such taboos really exist. It is common, for example, to hear children use swear words and not unheard of to see them in newspaper headings.
| Insult / Swear | Meaning | Example | English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
Dust (en) |
Idiot; jerk (can also be used flirtatiously with a partner) |
Han var en dust på festen. |
He was a jerk at the party. |
Kjæresten fniser: Du er en dust. |
Girlfriend giggles: You’re an idiot. |
|||
2. |
Lø |
Boring or lame |
Foreldrene mine er så lø. |
My parents are so boring. |
3. |
Gjøk (en) / Fjott (en) |
Idiot; someone stupid |
Uff! Onkelen min er en gjøk / fjott. |
Ugh! My uncle is an idiot! |
4. |
Dum |
Stupid; dumb |
Sjefen min er dum! |
My boss is stupid! |
5. |
Sutrekopp |
Whiner, crybaby |
Presidenten er en sutrekopp |
The president is a whiner. |
6. |
Teit [adj.] / Teiting (en) [n.] |
Someone who is stupid or annoying |
Lillebroren min er en teiting. |
My little brother is annoying. |
Ikke vær teit. |
Don’t be stupid. |
|||
7. |
Kronidiot (en) |
Biggest idiot |
Presidenten er en kronidiot! |
The president is the biggest idiot! |
8. |
Slaur (en) |
Lazy person (dialect, used more in western Norway) |
Kollegaen min er en slaur. |
My coworker is lazy. |
9. |
Mehe (et) |
Someone who follows others; doesn’t think for themself. |
Han gjør akkurat det han blir fortalt. For et mehe. |
He just does whatever he is told. What a pushover / doormat. |
10. |
Feiging (en) |
Coward |
Ikke vær en feiging; se denne filmen med meg. |
Don’t be a coward; watch this film with me. |
11. |
Urokråke (ei) |
Troublemaker |
Jeg liker urokråker. |
I like troublemakers. |
12. |
Klossmajor (en) |
Klutz; someone who is clumsy |
Jeg er en sånn en klossmajor. Jeg snubler over alt. |
I am such a klutz. I trip over everything. |
13. |
Vattnisse (en) |
Scaredy cat; wimp |
Broren min spiller ikke skrekkspill fordi han er en vattnisse. |
My brother doesn’t play horror games because he is a wimp. |
14. |
Svin (et) |
Pig |
Presidenten er et svin! |
The president is a pig! |
15. |
Bæsj |
Poop |
Det er bæsj. |
It is poop. |
16. |
Helsike |
Heck |
Hva i helsike skjedde? |
What the heck happened? |
17. |
Helvete |
Hell |
Hva i helvete skjedde? |
What the hell happened? |
Dra til helvete! |
Go to hell! |
|||
18. |
Herregud |
Oh my God |
Herregud! Hva gjorde du? |
Oh my God! What did you do? |
19. |
Søren! |
Damn! |
Søren! Jeg gledet meg til den filmen. |
Damn! I was looking forward to the film. |
20. |
Rumpehull (et) |
Butthole |
Han kan være et rumpehull noen ganger. |
He can be a butthole sometimes. |
21. |
Dritt / Skitt |
Shit |
Jeg er lei av dritten din! |
I’m tired of your shit! |
Vi hadde drittvær i går. |
We had shit weather yesterday. |
|||
22. |
Drittunge (en) / Snørrunge (en) |
Brat |
Uff! Søsknene dine er noen drittunger / snørrunger! |
Ugh! Your siblings are such brats! |
23. |
Drittsekk (en) |
Scumbag / shitbag |
Politikeren er en drittsekk! |
The politician is a scumbag! |
24. |
Dritthode (et) |
Shithead |
Eks-kjæresten min er et dritthode. |
My ex-boyfriend is a shithead. |
25. |
Ræv (en) / Rass (en) |
Ass |
Kyss meg i ræva! |
Kiss my ass! |
26. |
Rævhøl (et) / Rasshøl (et) |
Asshole |
Det fulle rævhullet startet kampen. |
The drunk asshole started the fight. |
27. |
Jævel / Jævla |
Fucker / Fucking |
Det er jævlig dyrt! |
It is fucking expensive! |
Du er en jævla drittsekk. |
You’re a fucking shitbag. |
|||
28. |
Faen (ta deg) (Pronounced fa-an) |
Fuck |
Det faen meg ikke sant! |
That isn’t fucking true! |
Fuck you |
Jeg kan ikke tro at du løy! Faen ta deg! |
I can’t believe you lied! Fuck you! |
||
29. |
Fy faen |
For fuck’s sake |
Fy faen! Nå starter ikke bilen! |
For fuck’s sake! Now the car won’t start! |
30. |
Satan / Satans |
Fuck (used as an exclamation or to emphasize) |
Satan! Jeg har glemt bankkortet mitt! |
Fuck! I forgot my debit card. |
Uff! Satans drittunger! |
Ugh! Fucking brats! |
|||
31. |
Føkka |
Fucked up |
Person 1: Han ranet banken. Person 2: Det er føkka. |
Person 1: He robbed the bank. |
32. |
Forpulte |
“Fucked out” from å pule = to fuck |
Din forpulte drittsekk |
You fucking piece of shit |
In Norwegian, when calling someone a name, it is typical for it to be said with “din / ditt” instead of “du.”
Ex: Din idiot! Ditt svin!
You idiot! You pig!
**If the lesson was beneficial, please consider buying me a virtual coffee. Thanks.**
References:
Exercise: We will pair up; write a dialogue with your partner.