Adjectives

1. stor

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "stort", definite and plural "store"

2. liten

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "lite", feminine "lita"; the plural is the suppletive "små"

3. tung

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "tungt", plural "tunge"

4. lett

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Means both "light in weight" and "easy"; light in colour is "lys"

5. dyr

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "dyrt", plural "dyre"

6. billig

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "billig", plural "billige"

7. varm

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Hot to the touch; "het" is used for scorching heat

8. kald

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Cold to the touch; neuter "kaldt"

9. ny

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "nytt", plural "nye"

10. gammel

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Old as in an object; definite and plural "gamle"

11. ung

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

    Grammar Note

    Neuter "ungt", plural "unge"

12. eldre

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    Literally the comparative of "gammel", but the established polite word for an elderly person

13. ren

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    "Clean" only; beautiful is "vakker"

14. skitten

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

    Grammar Note

    Neuter "skittent", plural "skitne"

15. god

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

    Grammar Note

    Neuter "godt", plural "gode"

16. dårlig

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

    Grammar Note

    Neuter "dårlig", plural "dårlige"

17. nær

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

    Grammar Note

    "Er det nær?" is the standard question; "i nærheten" (nearby) is also common

18. langt unna

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

    Grammar Note

    "Er det langt unna?" is the traveller's standard question

19. tidlig

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    Early in time; fast in speed is "rask"

20. sen

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    Late in time; slow in speed is "langsom"

21. mange

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    For countables; use "mye" for amounts

22. få

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

    Grammar Note

    For countables; use "lite" for amounts

23. Det er varmt

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the dummy subject "det" and the neuter form "varmt"

24. Det er kaldt

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the dummy subject "det" and the neuter form "kaldt"

25. søt

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

26. kul

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

27. god

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

28. fantastisk

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

29. morsom

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

30. mer

    More

    Usage

    Asks for a refill or an extra helping; combine it with the item you are pointing at

    Grammar Note

    With countable nouns use "flere" instead ("mer vann" but "flere servietter")

31. bare litt

    Just a little

    Usage

    Asks for a small amount, or stops someone from pouring more

    Grammar Note

    "Bare" means only and "litt" means a little; for countable things use "bare noen få"

32. halvparten

    Half

    Usage

    Asks for half the amount; also works when splitting a portion or a bill

    Grammar Note

    A noun in the definite form; as an adjective it is "halv / halvt" ("en halv liter")

33. alt

    All / everything

    Usage

    Says you want all of it, or asks the total for everything

    Grammar Note

    Used with uncountables; for countable things use "alle" ("alle sammen" = everyone)

34. Det holder

    That's enough

    Usage

    Stops someone from serving or pouring more, without sounding curt

    Grammar Note

    Literally "that holds"; "Det er nok" means the same

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