25 Useful Norwegian Sentences Every Beginner Should Know
Start speaking Norwegian today! Learn 25 beginner-friendly Norwegian sentences to help with daily life, travel, shopping, and more. Ideal for A1–A2 learners.
Why Learning Ready-Made Sentences Helps Beginners
For newcomers to the Norwegian language, learning full, ready-made sentences provides a highly effective starting point. Rather than memorising isolated vocabulary, this approach enables learners to acquire functional language structures and apply them immediately in real-life situations.
Early benefits include:
- Improved conversational confidence
- Enhanced understanding of sentence structure and context
- Practical communication in daily scenarios such as transport, shopping, and greetings
Whether you reside in Norway or study remotely, the following foundational sentences serve as essential tools for basic interaction.
Common Greetings and Introductions
These basic expressions support polite introductions and friendly conversation openers:
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Hello! | Hei! |
| Good morning | God morgen |
| Good evening | God kveld |
| What’s your name? | Hva heter du? |
| My name is Anna | Jeg heter Anna |
| Nice to meet you | Hyggelig å møte deg |
| How are you? | Hvordan har du det? |
| I’m fine, thanks | Jeg har det bra, takk |
Everyday Questions and Answers
These sentences are useful for asking directions, seeking assistance, or clarifying information:
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Where is the bathroom? | Hvor er toalettet? |
| What time is it? | Hva er klokka? |
| Can you help me? | Kan du hjelpe meg? |
| I don’t understand | Jeg forstår ikke |
| I speak only a little Norwegian | Jeg snakker bare litt norsk |
| Do you speak English? | Snakker du engelsk? |
Sentences for Shopping and Eating Out
These essential sentences will come in handy at restaurants, cafes, and stores:
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | Hvor mye koster det? |
| I would like a coffee, please | Jeg vil gjerne ha en kaffe, takk |
| Can I pay with card? | Kan jeg betale med kort? |
| Can I see the menu? | Kan jeg se menyen? |
| Do you have vegetarian options? | Har dere vegetariske alternativer? |
Sentences for Public Transport and Directions
Navigating Oslo’s public transport is easier when you know these:
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Where is the bus stop? | Hvor er bussholdeplassen? |
| Is this the train to Bergen? | Går dette toget til Bergen? |
| I need to go to the city center | Jeg må til sentrum |
| How long does it take? | Hvor lang tid tar det? |
Sentences for Social Interaction and Politeness
Politeness plays a significant role in daily exchanges. These phrases ensure respectful communication:
| English | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Takk |
| You’re welcome | Vær så god |
| Excuse me | Unnskyld meg |
| I’m sorry | Beklager |
| Have a nice day | Ha en fin dag |
Pronunciation Tips for Beginners
Correct pronunciation aids both understanding and being understood.
Key pronunciation tips:
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Stress usually falls on the first syllable: KAffe, HETer
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Norwegian vowels to practise:
- Æ – similar to the “a” in “cat”
- Ø – like the French “eu” in bleu
- Å – resembles “awe” in English
Practice listening and repeating to improve clarity and comprehension.
Strategies for Practising Ready-Made Sentences
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Repeat them aloud daily. Repetition builds muscle memory.
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Record your voice and compare to native audio.
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Practice in front of a mirror to observe articulation.
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Role play with a partner or in your head (e.g., ordering food).
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Reinforce vocabulary through language apps such as Duolingo, Memrise, or Anki
Where to Learn More Practical Phrases
To further develop your practical language skills:
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Join an approved beginner course (like those at Language Power International AS).
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Listen to podcasts.
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Watch subtitled media and language learner videos on YouTube (@LærnorskmedLanguagepowerinternational)
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Join language cafés or meetups in Oslo.
Conclusion: Speak Norwegian with Confidence
You do not need extensive vocabulary to communicate effectively in Norwegian. By learning and applying 25 practical, high-frequency sentences, you can begin engaging in meaningful conversations from your first weeks of study.
🎯 To continue your progress, enrol in a certified beginner course at Language Power International AS and gain the tools to speak, interact, and live in Norwegian with confidence.
Information
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Start with full sentences—they provide grammar, context, and vocabulary in one.
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Yes! Norwegians appreciate when foreigners try. They’re often helpful and patient.
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Aim for 5–7 per week with regular review.
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Break them into chunks, repeat often, and connect them to real-life situations.
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Not necessarily. Grammar comes naturally when using complete phrases often.
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Enroll in a class, join a speaking group, or use language learning apps.