Photo by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash
Basic Norwegian Words: Learn Essential Vocabulary for Travel & Daily Life 🇳🇴
Planning a trip to Norway or just starting to learn the language? Whether you’re hiking the fjords or chatting with locals in Oslo, learning a few basic Norwegian words will go a long way.
This beginner-friendly guide introduces you to the most essential Norwegian vocabulary, organized by situation and theme. You’ll also find pronunciation tips, grammar notes, and cultural insights to help you speak naturally.
📌 Why Learn Basic Norwegian Words?
While most Norwegians speak English, using Norwegian—even a few words—shows respect and creates more authentic connections. It can also help:
- Navigate public transport and restaurants
- Read signs and labels
- Break the ice with locals
- Strengthen your understanding of Scandinavian languages
👋 Common Greetings & Expressions
| English | Norwegian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hei | hai |
| Good morning | God morgen | goo mor-gen |
| Good night | God natt | goo naat |
| Thank you | Takk | tahk |
| Please | Vær så snill | vair sho snill |
| Excuse me | Unnskyld | oon-shild |
| Yes / No | Ja / Nei | yah / nay |
👉 Use “Takk” often — Norwegians appreciate politeness.
👤 Basic Personal Pronouns
These are essential for building sentences.
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| I | Jeg |
| You (sing.) | Du |
| He | Han |
| She | Hun |
| We | Vi |
| You (pl.) | Dere |
| They | De |
🗣️ Example: “Jeg heter Anna.” (My name is Anna.)
🔢 Numbers 1–20 in Norwegian
| 1–10 | 11–20 |
|---|---|
| en, to, tre | elleve, tolv |
| fire, fem | tretten, fjorten |
| seks, sju | femten, seksten |
| åtte, ni, ti | sytten, atten |
| nitten, tjue |
📌 Tips: “sju” is used more in Eastern Norway; “syv” may appear in writing.
🍽️ Dining Out in Norway
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Menu | Meny |
| Water | Vann |
| Coffee | Kaffe |
| A table for two | Et bord for to |
| I’m vegetarian | Jeg er vegetarianer |
| The check, please | Regningen, takk |
🥗 If you have dietary restrictions, learn phrases like “uten kjøtt” (without meat).
🧭 Travel & Directions
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Where is…? | Hvor er…? |
| Left / Right | Venstre / Høyre |
| Bus / Train | Buss / Tog |
| Ticket | Billett |
| I’m lost | Jeg har gått meg vill |
💡 Use apps like Entur for public transport — it’s widely used in Norway.
🏠 At a Hotel or Airbnb
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| I have a reservation | Jeg har en reservasjon |
| Key | Nøkkel |
| Bathroom | Bad |
| Breakfast included? | Er frokost inkludert? |
🛏️ Norwegians may expect you to remove shoes indoors. A polite “Skal jeg ta av skoene?” (Should I take off my shoes?) goes a long way.
🛍️ Shopping Essentials
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| How much is it? | Hvor mye koster det? |
| I want to buy this | Jeg vil kjøpe dette |
| Cash / Card | Kontanter / Kort |
| Receipt | Kvittering |
🛒 Sunday shopping is limited outside tourist areas. Plan ahead.
🏥 Emergency Words
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Help! | Hjelp! |
| Call the police | Ring politiet |
| I’m sick | Jeg er syk |
| Pharmacy | Apotek |
☎️ Emergency number in Norway: 113 (ambulance), 112 (police)
💬 Pronunciation Tips
- “J” is pronounced like English “Y”: Jeg = Yai
- “Kj” and “Skj” have a soft “sh” sound: Kjøtt = shut
- Norwegian is a pitch-accent language, but don’t worry too much at first—clarity matters more.
🎧 Practice with online tools like:
🇳🇴 Norwegian Language Culture
- Norway has two official written standards: Bokmål (most common) and Nynorsk.
- Dialects vary greatly. You might hear “eg” instead of “jeg” in western Norway.
- Many people widely speak English, but learning basic Norwegian words builds instant rapport.
🧠 Memory Tips for Vocabulary Retention
- Use Spaced Repetition Apps (like Anki or Memrise)
- Create Flashcards with Images
- Record Yourself Speaking
- Label Household Objects
- Use Norwegian in Daily Journaling
Try:
📝 “I eat breakfast” → “Jeg spiser frokost”
📅 “Today is Monday” → “I dag er det mandag”
🎓 Extra Resources
🧑🏫 Practice with Avatalks AI Tutor
Our AI-powered tutor helps reinforce vocabulary with 3D avatars, speech feedback, and grammar correction. Perfect for beginners learning basic Norwegian words interactively.
📌 Final Thoughts: Start Using Norwegian Today
Learning basic Norwegian words doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, stay consistent, and use your new words in real conversations.
✅ Focus on greetings, numbers, and food
✅ Practice pronunciation daily
✅ Use the words in real life or simulations
💬 Ready to say your first sentence in Norwegian? Try this:
Hei! Jeg lærer norsk. (Hi! I’m learning Norwegian.)
Happy learning — or as they say in Norway, Lykke til!