Norwegian Grammar Dictionary by Fagbokforlaget

This Norwegian Grammar Dictionary is just that – a description of grammar points in dictionary format. Using years of classroom experience, the authors have identified the most common frustrations that students have with grammar use. This book grew out of the need for students to have, at their fingertips, a comprehensive explanation of the most difficult grammar concepts in an easy-to-read and understandable dictionary format. Simply identify the word you are having problems with and look it up, alphabetically. With this book’s unique format you will find, not just examples of use (as simple grammar books give), or a simple definition (as simple dictionaries give), but also detailed dictionary definitions, rules of use, all possible conjugated endings, multiple examples, idiomatic phrases, detailed notes of use, and even warnings of how not to use the word improperly. Cathrine Rysst has a Master´s Degree in Linguistics and Philosophy from King´s College London. She has been a University teacher for several years, in Norway and abroad. She teaches all levels of Norwegian as a second language and is also a certified English teacher. SECOND EDITION - WITH EXERCISES

Daren Sylvester is a former Teacher of English as a second language, with a Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky.

SECOND EDITION

WITH EXERCISES

ISBN 978-82-450-1494-5

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Cathrine Rysst and Daren Sylvester

Norwegian Grammar Dictionary

tittel.fm Page 2 Tuesday, February 19, 2013 10:59 AM

Grafic production: John Grieg AS, Bergen

ISBN: 978-82-450-1494-5

Cover design by Christian Manholt

Cathrine Rysst has received financial support from the Non-fiction Literature Fund (NFF).

Inquiries about this text can be directed to: Fagbokforlaget Kanalveien 51 N-5068 Bergen, Norway Phone: +47 55 38 88 00 Fax: +47 55 38 88 01 e-mail: fagbokforlaget@fagbokforlaget.no www.fagbokforlaget.no

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrival system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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Preface This book has been written for students and teachers of Norwegian as a foreign language. After years of experience from both sides of the classroom we have noted how the same questions about grammar seem to arise again and again. We have therefore created a handbook which guides the user directly to the core of troublesome grammar points by means of charts, symbols, and boxes which allow every word to be treated in a visual and lucid manner. The result is neither an ordinary dictionary nor a regular grammar book, but rather a combination of the two. We have carefully selected entries which have proved to be particularly challenging when learning Norwegian. The content is alphabetically ordered, which immediately enables the reader to use this book efficiently. Organising the content this way also entails that specific knowledge of grammatical terminology is not necessarily required. Every entry provides information about word class, phonemic transcription, English translation, conjugations and antonyms and synonyms when applicable. In addition, this book offers plenty of examples and thorough explanations for each entry. Warnings about common mistakes and advice regarding the use of the word are also given. Last, but not least, on each page a number of idioms are included. We believe that it is important to understand and master idiomatic expressions in order to become a competent user of the language. The majority of entries are adverbs, adjectives, pronouns and conjunctions: words that often create frustrating problems for the learner. Many words in Norwegian are confused with one another, due to multiple meanings. Second Language teachers can report countless examples of the difficulty and â&#x20AC;&#x153;dangerâ&#x20AC;? of merely looking up a word in the dictionary and using it without knowing how it applies. The student does not know which word to choose from a list of translations, or how to use it. Few dictionaries give sufficient examples and explanations, and the grammar rule itself is not accounted for. A standard grammar book will normally organise the content according to word class, which again demands knowledge of formal terms.

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All entries in this book are listed in Norwegian, but the explanations are given in English in order to reach as many learners as possible and to make the explanations more accessible. This is a book for learners of BokmĂĽl. Nynorsk will not be dealt with in this volume. Appendices presenting modal verbs, pronouns, passives, abbreviations, ordinals and selected prepositions can be found in the back of the book. We are also pleased to be able to include an extended list of conjugated verbs, which we know students will appreciate. The Norwegian Grammar Dictionary should be a an excellent supplement to other textbooks and a useful tool for the growing number of people who are learning Norwegian.

Cathrine Rysst

Daren Sylvester

Oslo/London January 2007

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Contents Understanding the format of this book Key to Phonemic Script (Pronunciation) Dictionary Appendix 1 – Prepositions of Time Appendix 2 – Pronouns Appendix 3 – Passive Voice Appendix 4 – Modal Verbs Appendix 5 – s-Verbs Appendix 6 – Some Useful Abbreviations Appendix 7 – Ordinals Appendix 8 – Verb Conjugations Excercises

6 7 9 203 205 207 209 212 213 216 218 239

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Understanding the format of this book

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Key to Phonemic Script (Pronunciation) This book uses the phonemic symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Learning these symbols will give the reader a greater command of proper Norwegian pronunciation.

Consonants

Vowels

/a/ as in boy

/`/ as in car

/sR/ as in chew

/æ/ as in bad

/c/ as in day

/`|/ as in now

/e/ as in foot

/`h/ as in height

/f/ as in get

/d/ as in bed

/Y/ as in rouge

/?/ as in her

/g/ as in hit

/dh/ as in date

/i/ as in you

/h/ as in bid

/j/ as in king

/n/ as in go

/B/ (‘k’ coming from the stomach)

/nx/ as in boy

/k/ as in leg

/|/ as in boot

/l/ as in mill

/x/ as in good

/m/ as in night

/T/ as in so

/M/ as in hang

/ø/ as in yearn

/o/ as in pot

/øx/ (no English equivalent)

/q/ as in ring (rolled in Norwegian) /r/ as in sing /R/ as in ship /s/ as in team /u/ as in very /v/ as in wing /y/ as in zoo

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/ /

Phonemic script is given between slanted lines.

/!(syllable)/

The syllable after this symbol ! has primary stress and single tone.

Ă? / (syllable)/

The syllable after this symbol Ă? has primary stress and double tone.

/(vowel)9 /

This symbol 9 means that the vowel before it is a long vowel.

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akkurat / `j|9!q`9s/ adv. just (this minute), exactly, precisely

Can be used to denote that something is being done right now, or has just been done.

Synonyms: presis, nøyaktig, nettopp

Key Construction Jeg kom akkurat inn døra. I just got home.

Examples 1. Du har akkurat samme dialekt som moren min. – You have exactly the same dialect as my mother. 2. Vaktmesteren har vært ansatt i akkurat en måned. – The caretaker has been employed for exactly one month. 3. Han hadde akkurat nok penger til en kaffe. – He had just enough money for a coffee. 4. Trikken har akkurat gått. – The tram just left. 5. Skoene er akkurat passe. – The shoes are just (the) right (size).

Idioms Akkurat som det er noe å skryte av! – As if that’s something to brag about! Akkurat passe – Just right

Notes 1. akkurat is often used in a conversation when one party is supporting what the other is saying, bringing new information or showing an element of surprise: Bjørn: Alle har mye å gjøre på jobben for tiden. – Everyone is really busy at work these days. Lars: Akkurat, det forstår jeg. – Right, I see.

! Be Careful ! The English word just can often be replaced by the word only. This is not so in Norwegian – don’t try to use akkurat to mean only.

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all /al/ adj., adv., ind. pron. (alt, alle)

Modifies mass nouns. Usually followed by a noun in the definite form. Alle is also a pronoun used for everybody/everyone.

all, everything, everyone

Definite Form

Key Construction

Gender

Grammar Rule

Example of Grammar Rule

masc.

all + (noun)

all maten

Hundene spiste opp all maten. – The dogs ate all the food. fem.

all + (noun)

all suppa

All suppa forsvant på en-to-tre! – All the soup disappeared in no time! neut.

alt + (noun)

alt maset

Nå er jeg lei av alt maset. – I’m tired of all the nagging. pl.

alle + (noun)

alle pengene

Raneren stakk av med alle pengene. – The robber got away with all the money.

Notes 1. The plural form alle standing alone, refers to people, everybody: Alle er nye her. – Everyone is new here. Note that alle – everyone/everybody takes conjugations as a plural word in Norwegian, and a singular word in English. 2. alt can occur on its own: La oss glemme alt (sammen). – Let’s forget about everything. 3. The indefinite form of the noun together with all, alt, and alle is used for general references: Alle opplysninger kan være viktige for politiet i denne saken. – All information can be of importance to the police in this case. All hjelp mottas med takk. – All help is welcome. Alt arbeid stanses i dag. – All work will be closed down today. 4. alt can also mean already (synonym to allerede): Politiet har vært her alt. – The police have been here already.

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a Idioms Alle tiders – Great Alt i alt – In total Alle er forskjellige – Everyone’s different Alle ting tar slutt – Sooner or later everything comes to an end Alle mot alle – War against all Hva i all verden? – What on earth? I alle dager …? – What in the heck …? Alle og enhver – Each and every one Alle andre – Everybody else Alle tre – All three of them (can use any number) Skynde seg alt man kan – Hurry as much as one can Når alt kommer til alt – After all Alt annet enn – Anything but Alt sammen – All of it All stans forbudt – No parking allowed

! Be Careful ! Do not confuse with hel, helt, or hele (see own entry). Also, there is no such expression in Norwegian as ‘alle av dem’ (all of them). Simply use ‘alle’.

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aller /!`k?q/ adv. the most, the very, ultimately, by far

To emphasise, to make the superlative of the adjective even stronger. To mark the ultimate.

Key Construction Onsdag var den aller fineste dagen av ferien. Wednesday was the most beautiful day of the holiday.

Examples 1. Tønsberg er den aller eldste byen i Norge. – Tønsberg is (ultimately) the oldest city in Norway. 2. Du er min aller beste venn. – You are my very best friend. 3. Karianne var den aller flinkeste i klassen. – Karianne was by far the best in the class.

Notes 1. aller can be repeated more than one time in a sentence, mainly in spoken language, to give the strongest emphasis possible: Det er mitt aller, aller kjæreste minne. – That is by far my most cherished memory. 2. aller can only be used with the superlative.

Idioms Aller best – The very best Det aller helligste – The most sacred De aller fleste – Most people Aller først – Primarily, first, the very first Aller sist – The very last Aller mest – The most (by far) Aller minst – The smallest (by far) Aller verst – The absolute worst Aller helst – Most preferably

! Be Careful ! Do not confuse aller with all, alt, or alle. Although the words look similar their meanings are very different (see own entry).

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allerede /!`k?qdc?/ adv. already, by now, even

To underline that something (of importance) has taken place at an earlier time.

Key Construction Har du lest hele boken allerede? Have you finished the whole book already?

Examples 1. Vi burde allerede ha fått svar fra myndighetene. – We should have received an answer from the authorities by now. 2. Du trenger ikke å rydde opp. Jeg har gjort det allerede. – You don’t have to put things away. I have already done it. 3. Petter hadde allerede spist middag, så han var ikke sulten. – Peter had already had dinner, so he wasn’t hungry.

Notes 1. Like many adverbs in Norwegian, allerede can be placed in the middle or at the end of a sentence, with only a slight difference in meaning: Jeg har allerede hørt det. – I’ve already heard. Jeg har hørt det allerede. – I’ve heard already. 2. Sometimes allerede can be placed at the beginning of a sentence, when it takes the meaning even: Allerede de gamle grekerne visste dette. – Even the ancient Greeks knew about this.

Idioms Allerede samme dag – That very same day Allerede den gang – Even at that time, in those days

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alltid / Ï`ksh9/ adv. always, each and every time, ever, all the time

Used to denote either time that never ends, or something that continually is, or happens.

Synonyms: bestandig Antonyms: aldri

Key Construction Jeg har alltid likt havet. I have always liked the sea.

Examples 1. Det er ikke alltid så lett å få tid til alt. – It’s not always easy to find time for everything. 2. Maria ville alltid sitte foran i bilen. – Maria always wanted to sit in the front seat of the car. 3. Alltid er det jeg som får skylden. – I get the blame all the time (each and every time).

Notes 1. Sometimes you will see and hear alltids, instead of alltid, especially in expressions. Alltids means something like at least: Det er da alltids noe. – At least that’s something. 2. Remember also when using indirect speech, the adverbial is placed in front of the verb in the main phrase: Presidenten sa at folket alltid måtte stole på ham. – The President said that the people always had to have trust in him.

Idioms Det går alltid et tog – It’s never too late Borte for alltid – Gone forever Evig og alltid – Constantly, forever

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altfor /!`ksenq/ adv. (much) too, (way) too, (far) too, all too (much)

Used to reinforce adjectives, expressing that something is too much, overly, over the top, exaggerated.

Key Construction Han er altfor gammel for henne. He is much too (way too) old for her.

Examples 1. Disse skoene er altfor store. – These shoes are far too big. 2. Jeg er altfor sliten til å gå ut igjen nå. – I’m much too tired to go out again now. 3. Altfor sjelden hører vi noe fra dem. – All too seldom do we hear anything from them.

Notes 1. for is used instead of altfor to reduce the emphasis and persistency: Leiligheten er for liten for vår familie. – The flat is too small for our family.

Idioms Det var da altfor mye! – You shouldn’t have! Ikke ta det altfor høytidelig – Don’t take it too seriously

! Be Careful ! altfor always precedes an adjective in the positive form, never the comparative or the superlative.

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altså /!`krn/ adv. so, therefore, that is, really, consequently, accordingly, thus

Concludes – sums up the meaning of a sentence or statement.

Key Construction Du vil altså bli her en natt til? So you would like to stay here one more night?

Examples 1. Hun ville gjøre karriere, altså jobbet hun veldig hardt. – She wanted to build a career, so (therefore) she worked very hard. 2. Han var fortsatt ungkar, altså ugift. – He was still a bachelor, that is, not married. 3. Du mener altså at det ikke var noe de kunne gjøre for å hjelpe ham? – So you really believe that there was nothing they could do to help him?

Notes 1. altså can be used in conversation to change the topic: Altså som jeg sa, skal reglene forandres. – Well, as I was saying, the rules are being changed. 2. Also used to reinforce a statement: Det er veldig gøy, altså! – It’s a lot of fun, you know.

Idioms Jeg tenker, altså er jeg. – I think, therefore I am (cogito ergo sum).

! Be Careful ! In slang this word (pronounced ‘assa’ or ‘ass’) is often just an extra tag with no ‘real’ meaning at the end of a statement (in the lines of the example under Note 2).

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an /`m/ adv. there is no English equivalent for this word, no translation

an is most often used with a verb to form certain expressions. In modern language this adverb doesn’t have a meaning standing alone.

Key Construction Det går ikke an å oppføre seg slik! One can’t behave in such a manner!

Examples 1. 2. 3. 4.

Vi ligger godt an i forhold til planen. – We are doing well according to the plan. Kan vi ikke bare se det an? – Can’t we just play it by ear? Det er ikke meg det kommer an på. – It’s not up to me. Om vi drar i morgen kommer an på været. – Whether we go tomorrow depends on the weather. 5. Styret visste ikke hvordan de skulle gripe saken an. – The board didn’t know how to handle the situation.

Notes 1. Normally an is part of a phrasal verb: gripe an – deal with/approach gå an – be possible/feasible se an – wait and see komme an på – depend on something ligge an – position according to a schedule legge an på – to make a pass at somebody

Idioms At det går an! – How is it possible!? Det går ikke an! – It’s not appropriate! Kom an! – Come on!

! Be Careful ! In reality there is no set rule to memorise how to use this word. You will have to memorise the verbs it is used with (see Notes above).

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annen / Ï`m?m/ pron., num.

Used to describe a different or additional person, place, or thing. Also can mean else (see Notes below).

(anna, annet, andre) another, other, different

Indefinite Form

Key Construction

Gender

Grammar Rule

Example of Grammar Rule

masc.

en annen + (noun)

en annen bil

Han har en annen bil som er større. – He has another car which is bigger. fem.

ei anna + (noun)

ei anna avis

Han kjøpte ei anna avis. – He bought a different newspaper. neut.

et annet + (noun)

et annet hus

Vi har et annet hus i Finland. – We have another house in Finland. pl.

andre + (noun)

andre bøker

Kan jeg se på noen andre bøker om Egypt? – Can I see some other books on Egypt? Definite Form

Key Construction

Gender

Grammar Rule

Example of Grammar Rule

masc.

den andre + (noun)

den andre bilen

Den andre bilen hans er større. – The other car of his is bigger. fem.

den andre + (noun)

den andre avisa

Den andre avisa er norsk. – The other newspaper is Norwegian. neut.

det andre + (noun)

det andre huset

Det andre huset i Finland er lite. – The other house in Finland is small. pl.

de andre + (noun)

de andre bøkene

De andre bøkene om Egypt står der borte. – The other books on Egypt are over there.

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a Notes 1. annen and andre also mean the countable (ordinal) second: Hun bor i annen/andre etasje. – She lives on the second floor. 2. annen, annet and andre can be used as else: Siri spurte om det var noen andre som kunne hjelpe til. – Siri asked if somebody else could help out. Han har ikke gjort annet enn å klage. – He has done nothing (else) but complain.

Idioms Av en eller annen grunn – For some reason Blant annet – Among other things Den ene etter den andre – One after another Fra tid til annen – From time to time På den andre siden – On the other hand

! Be Careful ! Do not confuse with en/ei/et + noun + til, which means another of something, as in one more, e.g.: En cola til, takk. – One more/another cola, please.

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annerledes / Ï`m?qkdc?r/ adj., adv. different, differently Synonyms: ulik, på en annen måte

Used to describe something which is different than something else, or to explain that something is done differently than something else.

Antonyms: lik

Key Construction Hun er annerledes enn de andre. She is different from the others.

Examples 1. Mye er annerledes her i Norge. – A lot of things are different here in Norway. 2. Jeg ville ikke ha gjort det annerledes. – I would not have done it differently. 3. Hvordan er dette annerledes? – How is this different?

Notes 1. annerledes is most commonly used in a comparative phrase with enn, as opposed to forskjellig, which is used with the preposition fra: Huset var annerledes enn vi hadde trodd. – The house was different than we had expected. Deres hus er forskjellig fra vårt. – Their house was different from ours. Den norske melken er annerledes enn den spanske (adj. comparison). – The Norwegian milk is different from the Spanish. Den norske melken smaker annerledes enn den spanske (adv. comparison). – The Norwegian milk tastes different from the Spanish. 2. annerledes is used for something which stands out, in the sense of ‘out of the ordinary’: Hun lever et annerledes liv. – She leads a different life.

Idioms Å stille seg annerledes til en sak – To see something differently

! Be Careful ! annerledes does not conjugate.

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antakelig(vis) /`ms`fdkh/ adj., adv probable, probably, presumably, most likely Synonyms: sannsynligvis, trolig

From the verb anta which means assume or presume. Used to express something that is probable, likely.

Key Construction Du har antakelig rett. You are probably right.

Examples 1. Det blir antakelig siste gang vi reiser hit. – This is probably the last time we will come here. 2. Det var antakelig bare en misforståelse. – It was probably just a mere misunderstanding. 3. Han er antakelig sen fordi han har mistet toget igjen. – He is probably late because he missed the train again. 4. Ambassadøren kommer antakelig alene til mottakelsen. – The Ambassador will presumably come alone to the reception. 5. Kommer du tilbake neste år? Antakeligvis. – Are you coming back next year? Most likely.

Notes 1. The modern way of spelling this word is with a ‘k’, but you will often come across it spelled with a ‘g’ antagelig. It is also very common to pronounce the word with a ‘g’. 2. antakeligvis/antageligvis is the corresponding adverb (see Example 5).

Idioms Antakelig ikke – Probably not

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at /`s/ conj. that

Introduces information which aids in explaining a clause or a phrase.

Key Construction Jeg vet at grammatikk kan være vanskelig. I know that grammar can be difficult.

Notes 1. at introduces subordinate clauses of nouns: Hun sier at alle barn er forskjellige. – She says that each child is different. De fortalte at alle hadde bestått prøven. – They said that everyone had passed the test. 2. at introduces a subordinate phrase with new information: Han hørte i nyhetene at prisene skulle stige. – He heard on the news that prices were going up. 3. at is mandatory under the following conditions: When introducing the main clause (subject): At grønnsaker er sunt, er det ingen tvil om. – There is no doubt that vegetables are healthy. When predicative: Problemet var at de ikke hadde søkt i tide. – The problem was that they hadn’t applied in time. When an adverbial or succeeding a preposition: Romanen begynner med at en liten gutt blir etterlyst. – The novel starts with a little boy gone missing. When the actual subject is ‘det’: Det er irriterende at han alltid forsover seg. – It’s irritating that he always oversleeps. When the object of the clause is an infinitival phrase: De nektet å godta at hun ikke ville fullføre jobben. – They refused to accept that she didn’t want to complete the job. When an apposition: Det at han er så dyktig, gjør at han alltid har for mye å gjøre. – The fact that he is so competent means he always has too much to do. When combined with ‘enn’: Det er bedre at du gjør noen av leksene enn at du ikke gjør noe. – It’s better that you do some homework rather than not doing anything at all.

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a When preceded by an intensifying adverbial phrase: Han sa tydelig at han ikke ville gjøre det. – He clearly said he wouldn’t do it. 4. at can be omitted under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, the rules are not consistent. at tends to be omitted in connection with verbs like si, tro, synes, mene, tenke, vite: Jeg trodde hun kom. – I thought she was coming. Han sa han skulle komme med det samme. – He said he would come right away. Jeg vet hun er norsk. – I know she is Norwegian. 5. at-phrases can express annoyance, blame, surprise etc.: At du ikke kan komme presis! – Why can you never be on time? At du tør! – I can’t believe you dare to do that! 6. In some constructions with a participle of a verb (below stekt) it’s common to take out the at and the auxiliary verb of the passive: Hvordan ønsker du (at) biffen din (blir) stekt? – How would you like (that) your steak (be) cooked?

Idioms At det går an! – How is that possible!? Å si at … – To say that … Å vite at … – To know that …

! Be Careful ! If you want to use the English word that as a pronoun (that dog, that book, etc. …) you cannot use at; you must use den (see den-denne entry).

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begge / Ïadf?/ pron.

Used to mean both when talking about two different things.

both (of them) Antonyms: ingen

Key Construction

Grammar Rule

Example of Grammar Rule

begge + (noun)

begge kjønn

De har ansatte av begge kjønn. – They have employees of both sexes. 2.

begge + (noun)

begge gangene

Faren betalte begge gangene. – The father paid both times. 3.

begge + deler

begge deler

Kaffe og kake? – Ja, takk, begge deler. – Coffee and cake? Yes, please. Both. 4.

begge + to

begge to

Jeg kjenner begge to. Mannen og konen. – I know them both. The husband and the wife.

Notes 1. begge can be used together with a plural noun, and in both the indefinite and definite forms (see Examples 1 and 2). 2. begge deler is generally used for two objects in the indefinite form (see Example 3). 3. begge to is used for two somewhat related objects in the definite form, or for people/ proper names (see Example 4).

Idioms Å lande på begge bena – To land on two feet Å spise med begge hendene – To eat with both hands (be very hungry) Å være i begges interesse – To be in the interest of both parties

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b ! Be Careful ! Do not confuse with både-og (see own entry). This also means ‘both’, but is always used with the word ‘og’ (and). Både and og always appear together and require at least two objects mentioned: Jeg betalte både husleien og telefonregningen. – I paid both the rent and the phone bill. Jeg betalte begge (to). – I paid both. både is never a sufficient answer alone (without the word og), whereas begge (to/deler) can stand alone: Snakker du tysk eller fransk? Begge deler. – Do you speak German or French? Both. If there are more than two objects, begge cannot be used. begge to cannot be followed by a noun: Incorrect: Jeg har sett begge to programmene. Correct: Jeg har sett begge programmene. – I have seen both programmes.

Daren Sylvester is a former Teacher of English as a second language, with a Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky.

SECOND EDITION

WITH EXERCISES

ISBN 978-82-450-1494-5

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0 50

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