{"id":2584,"date":"2019-10-31T20:54:47","date_gmt":"2019-10-31T20:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/norwegian\/?p=2584"},"modified":"2019-11-06T16:13:26","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T16:13:26","slug":"picking-the-right-twin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/norwegian\/picking-the-right-twin\/","title":{"rendered":"Picking the Right Twin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Free image from Pixabay; no copyright.)<\/p><\/div>\n

Much to the frustration of new language learners, words can rarely be translated directly between two languages. Shades of meaning vary, and when you look in an ordbok<\/strong> (dictionary), you just might get lost in lists of alternatives\u2026 Sometimes, a Norwegian word has several English translations. Other times, it\u2019s the other way around.<\/p>\n

YES<\/p>\n

When replying to a negative phrase \u2013 typically involving the word ikke<\/strong> (not) or nei<\/strong> (no) \u2013 use jo<\/strong>. Otherwise, use ja <\/strong>[yah].<\/p>\n

Child<\/em>: Jeg vil ikke p\u00e5 skolen!<\/strong> (I don\u2019t want to go to school!)<\/p>\n

Parent<\/em>: Jo, det m\u00e5 du.<\/strong> (Yes, you have to.)<\/p>\n

C<\/em>: Nei!<\/strong><\/p>\n

P<\/em>: Jo!<\/strong><\/p>\n

1: Liker du f\u00e5rik\u00e5l?<\/strong> (Do you like f\u00e5rik\u00e5l <\/em>[dish with mutton and cabbage]?)<\/p>\n

2: Ja, det smaker veldig godt.<\/strong> (Yes, it tastes very good.)<\/p>\n

1: Liker du ikke f\u00e5rik\u00e5l?!? <\/strong>(Don\u2019t you like f\u00e5rik\u00e5l<\/em>?!?)<\/p>\n

2. Jo, men jeg er stappmett.<\/strong> (Yes, but I\u2019m crammed 1<\/a><\/sup>stuffed<\/em> in American English<\/span>.)<\/p>\n

BOTH<\/p>\n

If you really want to say \u201dthe two of them\u201d, begge<\/strong> is the word to use. B\u00e5de<\/strong> is for lists of two items.<\/p>\n

Ola og Kari bor i H\u00f8nefoss. Begge stortrives.<\/strong> (Ola and kari live in H\u00f8nefoss. Both are thriving\/having a great time.)<\/p>\n

Jenta var b\u00e5de klok og vakker.<\/strong> (The girl was both wise and beautiful.)<\/p>\n

Jeg liker begge \u2013 b\u00e5de hunden og katten.<\/strong> (I like them both \u2013 both the dog and the cat.)<\/p>\n

PLAY<\/p>\n

Many children like to leke<\/strong>. Footballers, however, spiller fotball<\/strong>. Pianists spiller piano<\/strong>. Gamblers spiller kort<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Child 1<\/em>: Hei, skal vi leke?<\/strong> (Hi, wanna play?)<\/p>\n

Child 2<\/em>: Ja, skal vi leke tikken?<\/strong> (Yes, wanna play tag?)<\/p>\n

Child 1<\/em>: Nei, tikken er s\u00e5 kjedelig.<\/strong> Skal vi ikke spille Playstation i stedet? <\/strong>(No, tag is so boring. Let\u2019s play Playstation instead, ok?)<\/p>\n

YOU<\/p>\n

This one is quite basic, but of course: When you\u2019re addressing only one person, use du<\/strong> [doo] (or deg<\/strong>). \u201dYou (all)\u201d, on the other hand, is always dere<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Hei du! Hvor har jeg sett deg f\u00f8r?<\/strong> (Hi you! Where have I seen you before?)<\/p>\n

Tusen takk, dere er veldig snille.<\/strong> (Thanks a lot, you guys2<\/a><\/sup> A couple of readers have kindly pointed out that addressing both sexes with\u00a0you guys<\/em> can be offensive to some listeners. This phrase merely serves as an example; the addressees might be considered male.<\/span>\u00a0 are very kind.)<\/p>\n

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Do you know more \u201dtwin words\u201d like this?<\/em><\/p>\n