Learning Norwegian: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Norwegian course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Norwegian is like
Norwegian uses the Latin alphabet plus three extra vowels: æ, ø and å. Word order is like English — subject + verb. To make a yes/no question you often just swap them: kan du…? = can you…?. Nouns come in three genders, en, ei and et — en is by far the most common. Verbs stay the same for all people: jeg er, du er, han er (I am, you are, he is).
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Norwegian is written with the Latin alphabet, but a few sounds trip up English speakers — like the soft kj (not a hard k) and the retroflex 'r' sounds eastern Norwegians use. Learn these and you can read almost any word aloud.
- kj — a soft hissing sound, like the "ch" in German ich or the "h" in huge, as in kjøpe (to buy) = SHUH-peh · kjære (dear) = SHARE-uh.
- skj — like "sh" in shoe (eastern Norwegian, before i/y/j), as in ski = SHEE.
- sj — like "sh" in shoe, as in sjø (sea) = SHUH.
- r + n/t/d/l — in eastern dialects, r blends with the next consonant into one retroflex sound (tongue curled back), as in barn (child) · kort (card) · Nord (north).
- å — a long "aw" as in law, as in åtte (eight) = OT-tuh.
- ø — like the "u" in fur, but rounded, as in brød (bread) = BRUH.
- æ — like the "a" in cat, as in vær (weather) = VAIR.
- j — like the "y" in yes, as in jeg (I) = YAI.
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Norwegian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hei | hai | Hello |
| God morgen | goh MORN | Good morning |
| Ha det bra | hah deh BRAH | Goodbye |
| Jeg heter Alex | yai HET-er | My name is... |
| Takk | tahk | Thank you |
| Tusen takk | TOO-sen tahk | Thanks a lot |
| Vær så snill | vair so snill | Please |
| Vær så god | vair so goh | Here you go |
| Unnskyld | UN-shill | Excuse me / sorry |
| Ja | YAH | Yes |
| Nei | NAI | No |
| En | en | 1 |
| To | TOO | 2 |
| Tre | TRAY | 3 |
| Fire | FEE-reh | 4 |
| Fem | fem | 5 |
| Ti | TEE | 10 |
| Vann | vahn | water |
| Brød | BRUH | bread |
| Kaffe | KAHF-feh | coffee |
| Te | TAY | tea |
| Regningen | RAIN-ning-en | the bill |
| Jeg vil gjerne ha | yai vil YER-nuh hah | I would like |
| Hvor er...? | voor AIR | Where is...? |
| Til høyre | til HOY-reh | to the right |
| Til venstre | til VEN-streh | to the left |
| Rett fram | ret FRAM | straight ahead |
| Stasjonen | stah-SHOON-en | the station |
| Hva? | VAH | What? |
| Når? | NOHR | When? |
How the Norwegian course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & saying hello — hei · god morgen · god kveld · ha det bra
- Polite words — takk · vær så snill · unnskyld · ja / nei
- Numbers 1–10 — en · to · tre · fire · fem · ti
- I want" — å ville — jeg vil · jeg vil gjerne · kan jeg få
- Food & drink — vann · brød · kaffe · te
- Getting around — hvor er · til høyre · til venstre · rett fram
- Questions & "do you have…?" — har du · kan du · hva · når
- Family & people — familien · mor · far · bror · venn
- Time, days & weather — i dag · i morgen · dagen · været
- Introducing yourself — jeg heter · hva heter du?
- Health & emergency — hjelp! · legen · apoteket · jeg forstår ikke
- Tying it together — a full day out in Norwegian
- Airport & tickets — flyplass · pass · billett · gate
- The taxi — taxi · til hotellet · stopp her
- The hotel — reservasjon · rom · nøkkel · natt
- Ask for help — jeg forstår ikke · saktere · engelsk
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & saying hello
Key pieces: hei · god morgen · god kveld · ha det bra
The very first word you'll use: hei — hello. Say it out loud — it sounds just like English 'hi'.
- hei (hai) — hi / hello
- god morgen (goh MORN) — good morning
- god kveld (goh KVEL) — good evening
- ha det bra (hah deh BRAH) — goodbye
- hyggelig å møte deg (HUGG-lee oh MUR-teh dai) — nice to meet you
To say “Hello! Good morning!” in Norwegian: Hei! God morgen! (hai! goh MORN). Built from hei = hello; god morgen = good morning.
To say goodbye, use ha det bra — literally 'have it good'.
To say “Goodbye!” in Norwegian: Ha det bra! (hah deh BRAH). Built from ha det = have it; bra = good.
Polite words
Key pieces: takk · vær så snill · unnskyld · ja / nei
The two politeness essentials: takk (thank you) and vær så snill (please).
- takk (tahk) — thank you
- vær så snill (vair so snill) — please
- unnskyld (UN-shill) — excuse me / sorry
- ja (YAH) — yes
- nei (NAI) — no
To say “Yes, please” in Norwegian: Ja, takk (YAH, tahk). Built from ja = yes; takk = thanks.
The reply to takk is bare hyggelig — you're welcome. To make it warmer, tusen takk means 'thanks a lot'.
To say “No, thanks” in Norwegian: Nei, takk (NAI, tahk). Built from nei = no; takk = thanks.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: en · to · tre · fire · fem · ti
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: en, to, tre .
- en (en) — 1
- to (TOO) — 2
- tre (TRAY) — 3
- fire (FEE-reh) — 4
- fem (fem) — 5
- ti (TEE) — 10
To say “One coffee, please” in Norwegian: En kaffe, vær så snill (en KAHF-feh, vair so snill). Built from en = one; kaffe = coffee; vær så snill = please.
To ask a price: hvor mye koster det? = how much does it cost? Or just hvor mye?
- seks (seks) — 6
- sju (SHOO) — 7
- åtte (OT-tuh) — 8
- ni (NEE) — 9
- hvor mye koster det? (voor MY-yuh KOS-ter det) — how much does it cost?
To say “It's ten kroner” in Norwegian: Det er ti kroner (det air TEE KROO-ner). Built from det er = it is; ti = ten; kroner = kroner (the currency).
I want" — å ville
Key pieces: jeg vil · jeg vil gjerne · kan jeg få
To say what you want: jeg vil — I want. More polite: jeg vil gjerne — I would like.
- jeg (YAI) — I
- jeg vil (yai VIL) — I want
- jeg vil gjerne (yai vil YER-nuh) — I would like
- kan jeg få...? (kahn yai FOH) — can I get...?
- vær så snill (vair so snill) — please
To say “I would like a coffee” in Norwegian: Jeg vil gjerne ha en kaffe (yai vil YER-nuh hah en KAHF-feh). Built from jeg vil gjerne = I would like; ha = have; en kaffe = a coffee.
To say “I want a water” in Norwegian: Jeg vil ha vann (yai vil hah vahn). Built from jeg vil = I want; ha = have; vann = water.
To ask for something politely: kan jeg få…? = can I get…?. The magic phrase in cafés and shops.
To say “Can I get a coffee?” in Norwegian: Kan jeg få en kaffe? (kahn yai FOH en KAHF-feh). Built from kan jeg = can I; få = get; en kaffe = a coffee.
Food & drink
Key pieces: vann · brød · kaffe · te
Eating out or grabbing a drink? Key words: vann (water), brød (bread), kaffe (coffee), te (tea).
- vann (vahn) — water Memory hook: ≈ English water.
- brød (BRUH) — bread Memory hook: ≈ English bread.
- kaffe (KAHF-feh) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
- te (TAY) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English tea.
- melk (MELK) — milk Memory hook: ≈ English milk.
- øl (UHL) — beer
To say “Water and bread, please” in Norwegian: Vann og brød, vær så snill (vahn oh BRUH, vair so snill). Built from vann = water; og = and; brød = bread; vær så snill = please.
To say “I would like a coffee with milk” in Norwegian: Jeg vil gjerne ha en kaffe med melk (yai vil YER-nuh hah en KAHF-feh meh MELK). Built from jeg vil gjerne ha = I would like; en kaffe = a coffee; med = with; melk = milk.
To ask for the bill: kan jeg få regningen? = can I have the bill?
To say “The bill, please” in Norwegian: Regningen, vær så snill (RAIN-ning-en, vair so snill). Built from regningen = the bill; vær så snill = please.
Getting around
Key pieces: hvor er · til høyre · til venstre · rett fram
The most useful question in any town: hvor er…? = where is…?. Pronounced 'voor air'.
- Hvor er...? (voor AIR) — Where is...?
- til høyre (til HOY-reh) — to the right
- til venstre (til VEN-streh) — to the left
- rett fram (ret FRAM) — straight ahead
- stasjonen (stah-SHOON-en) — the station Memory hook: ≈ English station.
- bussen / toget (BOOS-sen / TOH-get) — the bus / the train
To say “Where is the station?” in Norwegian: Hvor er stasjonen? (voor AIR stah-SHOON-en). Built from hvor = where; er = is; stasjonen = the station.
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Norwegian: Hvor er toalettet? (voor AIR toh-ah-LET-et). Built from hvor er = where is; toalettet = the bathroom.
til høyre (right) and til venstre (left) tell you which way to turn. Straight on is rett fram .
To say “Straight ahead, please” in Norwegian: Rett fram, vær så snill (ret FRAM, vair so snill). Built from rett fram = straight ahead; vær så snill = please.
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: har du · kan du · hva · når
To ask if someone has something: har du…? = do you have…?. For several people, har dere…? .
To say “Do you have a table?” in Norwegian: Har dere et bord? (har DAY-reh et BOR). Built from har = have; dere = you (plural); et bord = a table.
Question words: hva? (what), når? (when), hvorfor? (why), hvem? (who).
- Hva? (VAH) — What?
- Når? (NOHR) — When?
- Hvorfor? (voor-FOR) — Why?
- Hvem? (VEM) — Who?
- Hvordan? (voor-DAHN) — How?
kan du…? = can you…? — handy for asking for help.
To say “Can you help me?” in Norwegian: Kan du hjelpe meg? (kahn doo YEL-peh MAI). Built from kan du = can you; hjelpe = help; meg = me.
Family & people
Key pieces: familien · mor · far · bror · venn
Family words: familien (the family), mor (mother), far (father).
- familien (fah-MEE-lee-en) — the family
- mor (MOOR) — mother Memory hook: ≈ English mother.
- far (FAHR) — father Memory hook: ≈ English father.
- bror (BROOR) — brother Memory hook: ≈ English brother.
- søster (SUS-ter) — sister Memory hook: ≈ English sister.
- venn (VEN) — friend
To say “I have a brother” in Norwegian: Jeg har en bror (yai har en BROOR). Built from jeg = I; har = have; en bror = a brother.
Jeg har = I have. It's the verb to say what you've got.
To say “I have a family” in Norwegian: Jeg har en familie (yai har en fah-MEE-lee). Built from jeg har = I have; en familie = a family.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: i dag · i morgen · dagen · været
Today is i dag , tomorrow is i morgen .
- i dag (ee DAHG) — today
- i morgen (ee MOR-gen) — tomorrow
- mandag (MAHN-dahg) — Monday
- fredag (FRAY-dahg) — Friday
- helgen (HEL-gen) — the weekend
To say “See you tomorrow” in Norwegian: Vi sees i morgen (vee sees ee MOR-gen). Built from vi sees = we see (each other); i morgen = tomorrow.
Ask about the weather: hvordan er været? = how is the weather?. Reply det regner = it's raining.
To say “It's raining” in Norwegian: Det regner (det RAIN-er). Built from det = it; regner = it rains.
Introducing yourself
Key pieces: jeg heter · hva heter du?
Introduce yourself: jeg heter… = my name is…. Say it 'yai het-er'.
To say “My name is Alex” in Norwegian: Jeg heter Alex (yai HET-er Alex). Built from jeg heter = my name is; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name: hva heter du? = what's your name?.
To say “What's your name?” in Norwegian: Hva heter du? (VAH HET-er doo). Built from hva = what; heter = is named; du = you.
Pleased to meet you: hyggelig å møte deg .
To say “Nice to meet you” in Norwegian: Hyggelig å møte deg (HUGG-lee oh MUR-teh dai). Built from hyggelig = pleasant; å møte = to meet; deg = you.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: hjelp! · legen · apoteket · jeg forstår ikke
The most important words if you need help: hjelp! (help!), legen (the doctor), apoteket (the pharmacy).
- Hjelp! (YELP) — help! Memory hook: ≈ English help.
- legen (LAY-gen) — the doctor
- apoteket (ah-poh-TAYK-et) — the pharmacy Memory hook: ≈ pharmacy.
- Jeg forstår ikke (yai fohr-STOR IK-kuh) — I don't understand
- politiet (poh-lee-TEE-et) — the police Memory hook: ≈ English police.
- Jeg er syk (yai air SEEK) — I am sick
To say “Help!” in Norwegian: Hjelp! (YELP). Built from hjelp = help.
To say “I need help” in Norwegian: Jeg trenger hjelp (yai TRENG-er YELP). Built from jeg = I; trenger = need; hjelp = help.
To say “I don't understand” in Norwegian: Jeg forstår ikke (yai fohr-STOR IK-kuh). Built from jeg = I; forstår = understand; ikke = not.
Tying it together
Key pieces: a full day out in Norwegian
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing it.
To say “Hello! My name is Alex” in Norwegian: Hei! Jeg heter Alex (hai! yai HET-er Alex). Built from hei = hello; jeg heter = my name is.
To say “I would like a coffee, please” in Norwegian: Jeg vil gjerne ha en kaffe, vær så snill (yai vil YER-nuh hah en KAHF-feh, vair so snill). Built from jeg vil gjerne ha = I would like; en kaffe = a coffee; vær så snill = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Norwegian: Hvor mye koster det? (voor MY-yuh KOS-ter det). Built from hvor mye = how much; koster = does it cost; det = it.
To say “Where is the station?” in Norwegian: Hvor er stasjonen? (voor AIR stah-SHOON-en). Built from hvor er = where is; stasjonen = the station.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: flyplass · pass · billett · gate
You have landed. The building is the flyplass . Your document is a pass .
- flyplassen (FLEE-plahs-en) — the airport
- passet (PAHS-et) — the passport
- billetten (bil-LET-en) — the ticket
- gaten (GAA-ten) — the gate
To say “Where is the airport?” in Norwegian: Hvor er flyplassen? (voor AIR FLEE-plahs-en). Built from hvor er = where is; flyplassen = the airport.
To say “Here is my passport” in Norwegian: Her er passet mitt (hair air PAHS-et mit). Built from her er = here is; passet mitt = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Norwegian: En billett, vær såa snill (en bil-LET, vair so snill). Built from en billett = a ticket; vær såa snill = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Norwegian: Hvor er gaten? (voor AIR GAA-ten). Built from hvor er = where is; gaten = the gate.
The taxi
Key pieces: taxi · til hotellet · stopp her
The driver is waiting. taxi is the same word. Tell them jeg vil gjerne til hotellet .
- taxi (TAK-see) — taxi
- sjåføren (shoh-FUR-en) — the driver
- jeg vil gjerne til (yai vil YER-nuh til) — I would like to go to
- stopp her (stop hair) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Norwegian: Taxi, vær såa snill (TAK-see, vair so snill). Built from taxi = taxi; vær såa snill = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Norwegian: Jeg vil gjerne til hotellet (yai vil YER-nuh til hoo-TEL-et). Built from jeg vil gjerne = I would like; til hotellet = to the hotel.
To say “Stop here, please” in Norwegian: Stopp her, vær såa snill (stop hair, vair so snill). Built from stopp her = stop here; vær såa snill = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Norwegian: Hvor mye koster det? (voor MY-yuh KOS-ter det). Built from hvor mye = how much; koster det = does it cost.
The hotel
Key pieces: reservasjon · rom · nøkkel · natt
At the desk: jeg har en reservasjon — I have a reservation.
- hotellet (hoo-TEL-et) — the hotel
- en reservasjon (en reh-ser-va-SHOON) — a reservation
- et rom (et rom) — a room
- nøkkelen (NUK-kel-en) — the key
- én natt (ayn nat) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Norwegian: Jeg har en reservasjon (yai haar en reh-ser-va-SHOON). Built from jeg har = I have; en reservasjon = a reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Norwegian: Et rom for én natt, vær såa snill (et rom for ayn nat, vair so snill). Built from et rom = a room; for én natt = for one night; vær såa snill = please.
To say “The key, please” in Norwegian: Nøkkelen, vær såa snill (NUK-kel-en, vair so snill). Built from nøkkelen = the key; vær såa snill = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Norwegian: Hvor er rommet mitt? (voor AIR ROM-et mit). Built from hvor er = where is; rommet mitt = my room.
Ask for help
Key pieces: jeg forstår ikke · saktere · engelsk
When Norwegian is too fast: snakk saktere, vær såa snill — speak more slowly, please.
- saktere (SAHK-teh-reh) — slower
- igjen (ee-YEN) — again
- engelsk (ENG-elsk) — English
- kan du hjelpe? (kahn doo YEL-peh) — can you help?
To say “I don't understand” in Norwegian: Jeg forstår ikke (yai fohr-STOR IK-kuh). Built from jeg = I; forstår = understand; ikke = not.
To say “Speak slowly, please” in Norwegian: Snakk saktere, vær såa snill (snahk SAHK-teh-reh, vair so snill). Built from snakk = speak; saktere = slower; vær såa snill = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Norwegian: Kan du hjelpe meg? (kahn doo YEL-peh mai). Built from kan du = can you; hjelpe = help; meg = me.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Norwegian: Snakker du engelsk? (SNAHK-ker doo ENG-elsk). Built from snakker du = do you speak; engelsk = English.
Culture and etiquette
Friluftsliv
Friluftsliv ('free-air life') is the Norwegian love of being outdoors. Norwegians hike, ski and camp in all weathers. The rule of thumb: there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.
Fjords
Norway's deep, narrow sea inlets — carved by glaciers — are the country's signature landscape. Towns hug the water, and ferries and fjord boats are everyday transport.
Koselig
Koselig (the noun is kos) is the cosy warmth of friends, candles, good food and a quiet evening — Norway's version of the Danish hygge. You'll hear the word all the time.
Kaffe is a ritual
Norwegians are among the world's biggest coffee drinkers. Å ta en kaffe — grabbing a coffee — is a social moment, not a quick pick-me-up. Norwegians love light, slow-brewed coffee.
Shoes off
Take your shoes off at the door in any Norwegian home. It's one of the first things a host will mention, and doing it is a simple, respectful habit.
Kroner & cards
Norway's currency is the krone (kr). Cards are accepted almost everywhere — even for a small coffee. Tipping isn't expected; rounding up to the nearest 10 kr is plenty.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: Hei! Kan jeg få en kaffe, vær så snill? (hai! kahn yai FOH en KAHF-feh, vair so snill) — Hi! Can I get a coffee, please?
Barista: Selvfølgelig. Skal det være noe annet? (SEL-ful-lee. skahL det VEH-reh NOH-eh AH-net) — Of course. Anything else?
You: Ja, et glass vann, takk. (YAH, et glahs vahn, tahk) — Yes, a glass of water, thanks.
Barista: Vær så god. Det blir femti kroner. (vair so GOH. det bleer FEM-tee KROO-ner) — Here you go. That'll be fifty kroner.
You: Tusen takk! (TOO-sen tahk) — Thanks a lot!
On the bus
You: Unnskyld, hvor går bussen til sentrum? (UN-shill, voor gohr BOOS-sen til SEN-trum) — Excuse me, where does the bus to the centre go?
Driver: Den går til sentrum. Du må bytte på stasjonen. (den gohr til SEN-trum. doo moh BYT-tuh poh stah-SHOON-en) — It goes to the centre. You have to change at the station.
You: Hvor mye koster en billett? (voor MY-yuh KOS-ter en bee-LET) — How much does a ticket cost?
Driver: Femti kroner. (FEM-tee KROO-ner) — Fifty kroner.
You: Takk! Når går neste tog? (tahk! nohr gohr NES-teh TOHG) — Thanks! When does the next train go?
At a restaurant
Waiter: God kveld! Et bord for to? (goh KVEL! et BOR for TOO) — Good evening! A table for two?
You: Ja, takk. Kan vi få menyen? (YAH, tahk. kahn vee FOH MEH-nyen) — Yes, thanks. Can we have the menu?
You: Jeg vil gjerne ha fisken og en te. (yai vil YER-nuh hah FIS-ken oh en TAY) — I'd like the fish and a tea.
Waiter: Utmerket valg! Velbekomme. (OOT-mer-ket VALG! VEL-beh-KOM-meh) — Excellent choice! Enjoy your meal.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.