Language/Norwegian-bokmal/Vocabulary/Basic-Greetings
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Learning how to greet people in Norwegian Bokmål is essential in establishing communication with native speakers. In this lesson, you will learn some of the most common basic greetings and expressions that you can use in everyday conversations.
Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Useful Sentenses & Hobbies and Interests.
Greetings
"Greetings" in Norwegian Bokmål can be translated as "hilsener" (pronounced "hill-seh-ner"). Here are some basic greetings that you can use when meeting someone:
| Norwegian Bokmål | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Hei! | "hey" | Hi! |
| God dag! | "goh dawg" | Good day! |
| God morgen! | "goh mor-gen" | Good morning! |
| God kveld! | "goh kvehl" | Good evening! |
It is important to note that the Norwegian Bokmål language has two official written forms, Bokmål and Nynorsk. Although they are both considered Norwegian, they have different grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The greetings we will discuss in this lesson are in Bokmål, which is considered the more commonly used form of Norwegian.
When greeting someone, you can add the word "til" (pronounced "teel") before the person's name to indicate that you are greeting them specifically. For example, "Hei, til Per!" means "Hi, to Per!"
Another common greeting is "hallo" (pronounced "hal-lo"), which is similar to the English "hello". You can use this greeting in various situations, such as answering the phone or starting a conversation with someone.
Introducing Yourself
Introducing yourself is an important part of any conversation as it allows the other person to get to know you better. Here are some common phrases that you can use when introducing yourself:
| Norwegian Bokmål | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mitt navn er... | "meht navn aer..." | My name is... |
| Jeg heter... | "yay het-er..." | I am called... |
| Hyggelig å møte deg! | "hew-gee-lee aw mew-teh day" | Nice to meet you! |
| Jeg kommer fra... | "yay kohm-mer frah..." | I come from... |
When introducing yourself, it is common to also ask for the other person's name. You can use the phrase "Hva heter du?" (pronounced "vah hay-ter doo"), which means "What is your name?" Alternatively, you can use "Hva er navnet ditt?" (pronounced "vah aer nav-net dit"), which also means "What is your name?"
When responding to someone's introduction, it is polite to provide a response. You can use the phrase "Hyggelig å møte deg også!" (pronounced "hew-gee-lee aw mew-teh day oh-so"), which means "Nice to meet you too!"
Farewells
Just as greetings are important, farewells are also necessary when ending a conversation. Here are some common phrases that you can use to say goodbye in Norwegian Bokmål:
| Norwegian Bokmål | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ha det bra! | "hah deht brah" | Goodbye! |
| Vi sees! | "vee sehs" | See you! |
| Vi snakkes! | "vee snahk-kes" | Talk to you later! |
| Ha en fin dag! | "hah en fin dawg" | Have a good day! |
It is also common to thank someone for their time or help, especially when ending a conversation. You can use the phrases "Takk for nå!" (pronounced "tahk fohr noh") or "Tusen takk!" (pronounced "too-sen tahk"), which both mean "Thank you!"
Cultural Information
Norway is a country in Northern Europe that is known for its fjords, mountains, and natural beauty. The Norwegian culture places a high value on social harmony, equality, and punctuality. In Norway, it is common to greet people with a handshake, even if you are meeting them for the first time. It is also important to use titles such as "herr" (Mr.) and "frue" (Mrs.) when addressing someone in a formal setting.
Norway has two official languages, Norwegian and Sami. Norwegian Bokmål is the written standard and is spoken by about 85% of the population. The Norwegian Bokmål language has its roots in Old Norse, which was spoken in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Like other Germanic languages, Norwegian Bokmål has a complex system of inflection and conjugation. However, it also has many similarities with English, such as the use of subject-verb-object sentence structure.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned some of the most common basic greetings and expressions that you can use in everyday conversations in Norwegian Bokmål. By using these phrases, you can establish communication with native speakers and create a positive impression. Remember to practice these phrases as much as you can to become more confident in using them. Lykke til! (Good luck!)
Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Months of the Year & Count to 10.
Other Lessons
- Asking Directions
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Clothes
- Greetings
- Modes of Transportation
- Engineering and technical jargon
- Legal and financial jargon
- Greetings and pleasantries
- Beverages
- Phrasal verbs and expressions
| ◀️ Basic Sentence Structure — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Introducing Yourself ▶️ |