Basic Words

1. Ja

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Nei

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Vær så snill

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   Literally "be so kind"; Norwegian has no short "please", so people often just add "takk"

4. Takk

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

   Grammar Note

   The basic thanks; "Tusen takk" intensifies it

5. Unnskyld

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   Used to get attention or to squeeze past someone

6. Beklager

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   The apology proper; a shade more formal than "Unnskyld"

7. Det er greit

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Jeg forstår ikke

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Jeg forstår

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Jeg er ferdig

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

    Grammar Note

    "Ferdig" means both "finished" and "ready"

11. Vent litt, takk

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Et øyeblikk

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. En voksen, takk

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Jeg har ingen reservasjon

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

    Grammar Note

    Negating a noun uses "ingen", not "ikke"

15. Jeg har en reservasjon

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Hjelp meg, takk

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

    Grammar Note

    In an emergency, shout "Hjelp!"

17. En gang til, takk

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Snakk sakte, takk

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Jeg snakker litt norsk

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    Say it early and people will slow down

20. Snakker du engelsk?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    Norwegian uses "du" with everyone; the formal "De" is essentially obsolete

21. dette

    This one

    Usage

    Points at something within reach — a menu item or a product in your hand

    Grammar Note

    The neuter form; with an "en" noun it becomes "denne" ("denne boken" / "dette bildet")

22. det der

    That one

    Usage

    Points at something further away; Norwegian does not split "that near you" from "that over there", so one word covers both

    Grammar Note

    The neuter form; with an "en" noun it becomes "den der"

23. her

    Here

    Usage

    Marks where you are; in a taxi, "here please" is "Her, takk"

    Grammar Note

    An adverb; motion towards the speaker uses a different word, "hit"

24. der

    There

    Usage

    Marks a spot a short distance away

    Grammar Note

    An adverb; motion towards that place uses a different word, "dit"

25. der borte

    Over there

    Usage

    Points at somewhere visible in the distance; use it together with a pointing gesture

    Grammar Note

    "Der" plus "borte" (away), marking something further off than plain "der"

26. jeg

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; combine with pointing when sorting out who is who

    Grammar Note

    Subject form; the object form is "meg" and the possessive is "min / mitt / mine". Pronounced roughly "yai"

27. du

    You

    Usage

    Refers to the person you are speaking to; Norwegians use "du" even with strangers

    Grammar Note

    Subject form; the object form is "deg" and the plural is "dere". The formal "De" is essentially obsolete

28. sammen

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that you are with someone else — useful for seating and for paying

    Grammar Note

    An adverb; "together with someone" is "sammen med"

29. med en gang

    Right now / immediately

    Usage

    Signals that something is needed right away

    Grammar Note

    Literally "in one go"; "med det samme" means the same, and plain "nå" is "now"

30. én person

    One person

    Usage

    States your party size at a restaurant or ticket counter

    Grammar Note

    The numeral "one" is written with an acute accent, "én", to distinguish it from the indefinite article "en"

31. to personer

    Two people

    Usage

    States your party size at a restaurant or ticket counter

    Grammar Note

    The plural of "person" is "personer"; "a table for two" is "et bord til to"

32. tre personer

    Three people

    Usage

    States your party size at a restaurant or ticket counter

    Grammar Note

    "Tre" is the numeral three; the identical spelling is also the noun "tree" ("et tre"), but not when stating a party size

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