Archive for 'Language'
How to say what you need Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Jun 28, 2017
You’ve been travelling for a long time and all you need is a hot shower and a nice place to sleep. But – how to ask the natives? Sometimes, expressing what you need is … all you need. Jeg er sulten. (I’m hungry.) Er du sulten? (Are you hungry?) Vi er veldig sultne. (We’re very…
Talking about prices Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Apr 30, 2017
Er Norge dyrt? (Is Norway expensive?) Many people klager (complain) about prisene (the prices) in Norway. Nobody really complains about de høye lønningene (the high wages), though, so I guess there’s some kind of balance. 🙂 Still, if you come as a tourist, be prepared for surprises! Here are some expressions for talking about prices…
Worst Case Norwegian Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Nov 30, 2016
Vanligvis er Norge et veldig trygt land. (Normally, Norway is a very safe country.) Here are a few expressions to use when everything goes wrong… – Hjelp, jeg har gått meg vill! (Help me, I’ve lost my way!) – Vet du hvordan jeg kommer meg tilbake til veien? (Do you know how I get back…
Making a call to Customer Support Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Jul 29, 2016
Calling a Norwegian company for kundeservice [KOONNehserviss] (customer support)? Although the (wo)man at the other end of the line probably speaks good English, (s)he might just give you that extra amount of attention if you do speak Norwegian! 🙂 Here are a few phrases to keep you going. Trykk 1 for meny, trykk 2 for…
Meet the Monster Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Oct 31, 2015
Monsteret er løs! (The monster is ”loose”!) Right now, it is doing everything it can to prevent you from learning norsk! Men fortvil ikke… (But don’t despair…) There is a way to get through Halloween alive… First of all, you must kjenne din fiende (know your enemy)! Of course, the Norwegian night is full of demons……
How Hard Is Norwegian? Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Sep 30, 2015
How hard is Norwegian actually? I’d say it depends a lot on your native language. If you’re an English-speaker – lucky you. Both languages come from the same Germanic roots, and there are loads of similarities, grammar-wise and vocabulary-wise: Vi liker egg! (We like eggs!) Naboen har små vinduer. (The neighbour has small windows.) Some…
Party Chitchat Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Aug 19, 2015
You’re at a fest (party) with Norwegians. You’re a nybegynner [NEEbeyinner] (beginner, ’new beginner’). Your ability to stitch together phrases is so-so. Men du VIL snakke norsk! (But you WANT to speak Norwegian!) Below are a few made-up examples of party småsnakk (smalltalk). To some people it’s a very superficial way of talking, I know…