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Discover the Fascinating Origins and Evolution of the Norwegian Language
Norway, a Scandinavian country with an extensive coastline, has two official languages:
The rich and diverse Norwegian language is spoken by over 7 million people across the world and has four main categories of Norwegian dialects:
Vestlandsk - Western Norway
Østlandsk - Eastern Norway
Trøndersk - Central Norway
Nordnorsk - Northern Norway
The first thing you should know is that Norwegian is a Germanic language derived from Old Norse and is closely associated with Sweden and Denmark, which comprise the remaining Scandinavian countries.
The other language, Sami, also called Lapp (derived from the Uralic language family), is spoken by the Sami indigenous people in Northern Norway. A population speaks Sami of around 100,000 people. While it has been in practice for centuries, it was only recognized as the official language of Norway in 2005.
The Norway Experience: Inspiring and Funny Norwegian Expressions
Norwegian proverbs and expressions are a great way to learn about Norwegian culture and language. This article will explore how Norwegian expressions can be used to expand one's knowledge of the country, from its history to popular basic phrases that are commonly used.
"It’s never so bad that it’s not good for something"
Norwegian is a complex language to learn and even harder to translate into English. One of the reasons for this is that many common phrases in Norwegian do not have a direct translation or an English equivalent.
What These 5 Famous Wise Men Had To Say About Norway
"The Norwegian word for 'yes' is 'ja'. But the Norwegian word for 'no' is 'nei'. And the Norwegian word for 'maybe' is 'kanskje'." - Jerry Seinfeld
"We are all born of love. Love is our mother, and she never lets go of us." - Dag Hammarskjöld
"Norwegians are a little bit like the Swiss. They are very calm; they don't get excited about anything. That's why I think Norway is a very good country to live in." - Tom Hanks
"Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and its people are also very friendly and welcoming. It has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with a high quality of life. You won the lottery if you were born in Norway." - Unknown
"The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone." - Henrik Ibsen
Top 10 Norwegian Proverbs and Sayings to Start Your Day
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Norwegian culture has a tradition of using proverbs and sayings, which has been passed down from generation to generation. These phrases are usually said to have the power to influence people's thoughts, feelings, and actions. Many Norwegians believe these phrases to be true, in some cases signs of good fortune, and they often use them during informal conversations or to lighten up a conversation.
"A happy salmon"
But Norwegian proverbs and sayings are more than just a cultural identifier. These phrases are often witty, amusing, and very useful to anyone interested in learning more about Norway or planning a visit. Ready?
Top 10 list below:
Every cloud has a silver lining. There is nothing so wrong which there is not something good.
It is better to be a free man in a small house than a slave in a big one. (especially good to think about if you have had a hard time lately)
There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
The thief thinks everybody steals.
The best fruits hang highest. (meaning that if you have reached an old age, you deserve to shine)
Don't sell the hide until you've shot the bear. ( great one to use if you know a bear hunter)
Straight ahead is the shortest, but not always easiest.
The lame runs if he has to. (this is just the way of the world)
Behind the clouds, the sky is always blue.
Good fortune is loaned, not owned.
Get Ready to Laugh with These 20 Funny and Motivational Quotes and Expressions From Norway
Now, grab a hot cup of coffee, a cold beer, or a big delicious glass of red wine, and let's have some Norwegian kos! It's the best remedy for turning a bad day into an enjoyable one. There is little shame in taking time out to learn about new places, people, or things.
Below, I've compiled a list of my favorite quotes and phrases in English, along with the original Norwegian version of each expression.
I hope you find them as insightful, hilarious, and inspiring as I do! As a native Norwegian (born in Oslo), I can tell you that people of all ages use these quotes and common words daily. My advice: don't be afraid to use them. You will make people smile and maybe even make new best friends.
See the slideshow and list of meanings below:
Press arrows to see the slideshow
1) TO GET BLOOD ON YOUR TOOTH
Norwegian: Å få blod på tann
Meaning: To become inspired or driven
2) TO BUY A CAT IN A BAG
Norwegian: å kjøpe katta i sekken
Meaning: To be tricked into buying something of a lesser standard
3) TO SIT WITH THE BEARD IN THE MAILBOX
Norwegian: å sitte med skjegget i postkassen
Meaning: To to be stuck in an uncomfortable situation
4) TO HAVE ICE IN ONE’S STOMACH
Norwegian: å ha is i magen
Meaning: To to be stuck in an uncomfortable situation
5) TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUTTER EYE
Norwegian: å være midt i smørøyet
Meaning: To be in a good place, a really good place
6) ON A BERRY TRIP
Norwegian: på bærtur
Meaning: You are totally lost or feel totally lost
7) WALK AROUND THE PORRIDGE
Norwegian: gå rundt grøten
Meaning: Beat around the bush
8) TO SPEAK DIRECTLY FROM THE LIVER
Norwegian: å snakke rett fra leveren
Meaning: Saying it like it is, speaking the truth in a very direct way
9) THERE ARE OWLS IN THE MOSS
Norwegian: det er ugler i mosen
Meaning: There is something secret or not right about a situation
10) LIKE THE YOLK IN THE EGG
Norwegian: som plommen i egget
Meaning: Feeling good about where you are or what you are doing
11) IT'S SO TEXAS
Norwegian: det er /var helt Texas
Meaning: A crazy situation or happening
12) FORGE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT
Norwegian: å smi mens jernet er varmt
Meaning: To grab an opportunity quickly
13) TO PUT YOUR LEGS ON YOUR NECK
Norwegian: å putte beina på nakken
Meaning: To run away from something
14) TO SWALLOW SOME CAMELS
Norwegian: å svelge noen kameler
Meaning: To ignore something or choose not to speak up to keep the peace
15) HAVE YOU SMOKED YOUR SOCKS?
Norwegian: har du røyka sokkene dine?
Meaning: To have a crazy or unhinged opinion with no roots in reality
16) THE LIGHTS ARE OUT BUT NOBODY’S HOME
Norwegian: lyset er på, men ingen er hjemme
Meaning: To be dumb or less intelligent
17) TIGHT IN THE CARDBOARD
Norwegian: tett i pappen
Meaning: To say something others think is stupid
18) TO BE A PING IN THE BOWL
Norwegian: å være pling i bollen
Meaning: To be empty-headed or incorrect
19) TO MAKE CABBAGE OF
Norwegian: å lage kål på
Meaning: To finish or empty something, or murder/harm someone
20) A BONE IN THE NOSE
Norwegian: å ha bein i nesa
Meaning: To be strong or independent
20 Useful Norwegian Words You Can Learn Today
Jeg elsker deg = I love you
Tusen takk = Thank you very much
Vær så god = You're welcome
Vær så snill = Please
Unnskyld = Excuse me
Ja = Yes
Nei = No
Kanskje = Maybe
God Jul = Merry Christmas
En øl takk = A beer please
I morgen = Tomorrow
Jeg forstår ikke = I don't understand
Snakker du engelsk = Do you speak English
I dag = Today
Hvordan har du det = How are you
Hyggelig å møte deg = Nice to meet you
Hallo = Hello
God morgen = Good morning
Ha det = Goodbye
Toalett = Restrooms
And remember, the best cure for a bad day is to learn something new and with these funny quotes and proverbs from Norway, you can easily do that!
"To be in the middle of the butter"
