You have landed in Norway. Now real life begins: the supermarket, your first day at work, a meeting at the tax office, a flat viewing. Most Norwegians speak very good English, but a few Norwegian phrases change how people respond to you. This guide is the language companion to our moving to Norway guide.
Read the article, watch the videos, or press play and listen.
In this article
Why learn Norwegian if everyone speaks English?
Because effort gets noticed. Saying Jeg prøver å lære norsk (I’m trying to learn Norwegian) is one of the friendliest things you can say in a first conversation.
There is also a practical reason. Letters from public offices, local tradespeople and many older people use Norwegian first. Outside the big cities you will hear less English in daily life.
Greetings you will use every day
Norwegians are friendly but quite reserved with strangers. A simple hei and a smile is enough in a shop or on the stairs.
| Norwegian | Say it like | English |
|---|---|---|
| Hei | hay | Hi (any time of day) |
| God morgen | goo MOR-ren | Good morning |
| God kveld | goo KVELL | Good evening |
| Ha det bra | HAH-deh BRAH | Goodbye, take care |
| Vi ses | vee SAYS | See you |
| God helg | goo HELG | Have a good weekend |
Hvordan går det? (How is it going?) is common with colleagues, neighbours and friends. At a shop checkout, a short hei and takk is all you need.
At the supermarket
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Har dere …? | Do you have …? |
| Hva koster det? | How much is it? |
| Kan jeg betale med kort? | Can I pay by card? |
| Trenger du pose? | Do you need a bag? (the cashier asks) |
| Ja, takk / Nei, takk | Yes, please / No, thanks |
| Kvittering? | Receipt? (the cashier asks) |
| Unnskyld, hvor er …? | Excuse me, where is …? |
Tip: bags cost extra, so many people bring their own. Card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere.
At public offices and appointments
If you move to Norway from the EU or EEA and stay more than three months, you must register with the authorities. You apply online with UDI and then meet the police or a service centre in person. These phrases help at that meeting and at the bank or tax office.
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Jeg har en avtale klokken … | I have an appointment at … |
| Kan du snakke litt saktere? | Can you speak a bit slower? |
| Kan du skrive det ned? | Can you write that down? |
| Jeg forstår ikke | I don’t understand |
| Snakker du engelsk? | Do you speak English? |
| Takk for hjelpen | Thanks for your help |
Rules can change, so always check the latest information on UDI’s and the police’s websites before your appointment.
At work
Norwegian workplaces are usually flat and informal. People use first names from day one and say what they think quite directly.
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Hva betyr …? | What does … mean? |
| Kan du forklare det? | Can you explain that? |
| Jeg er ferdig | I’m done |
| Beklager, jeg er forsinket | Sorry, I’m late |
| Vi ses i morgen | See you tomorrow |
| God helg! | Have a good weekend! |
The 30 phrases in one list
Save this list on your phone and use it until you no longer need it.
| # | Norwegian | English | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hei | Hi | Greeting |
| 2 | Ha det bra | Goodbye | Leaving |
| 3 | Takk | Thank you | Everywhere |
| 4 | Tusen takk | Thanks a lot | Everywhere |
| 5 | Unnskyld | Excuse me / Sorry | Getting attention, apologising |
| 6 | Ja / Nei | Yes / No | Everywhere |
| 7 | Jeg forstår ikke | I don’t understand | Clarifying |
| 8 | Kan du hjelpe meg? | Can you help me? | Asking for help |
| 9 | Hvor er …? | Where is …? | Finding your way |
| 10 | Hva koster det? | How much is it? | Shopping |
| 11 | Kan jeg betale med kort? | Can I pay by card? | Shopping |
| 12 | Har dere …? | Do you have …? | Shopping |
| 13 | Jeg vil gjerne ha … | I would like … | Ordering |
| 14 | En kaffe, takk | A coffee, please | Café |
| 15 | Kan du snakke litt saktere? | Can you speak a bit slower? | Conversation |
| 16 | Snakker du engelsk? | Do you speak English? | Backup |
| 17 | Jeg heter … | My name is … | Introductions |
| 18 | Jeg kommer fra … | I come from … | Introductions |
| 19 | Jeg bor i … | I live in … | Introductions |
| 20 | Jeg jobber som … | I work as … | Introductions |
| 21 | Jeg lærer norsk | I’m learning Norwegian | Showing effort |
| 22 | Hva betyr det? | What does that mean? | Learning |
| 23 | Kan du skrive det ned? | Can you write it down? | Offices, appointments |
| 24 | Jeg har en avtale | I have an appointment | Offices |
| 25 | Er leiligheten ledig? | Is the flat available? | Housing |
| 26 | Er strøm inkludert? | Is electricity included? | Housing |
| 27 | Vi ses! | See you! | Leaving |
| 28 | God helg! | Have a good weekend! | Friday at work |
| 29 | Ha en fin dag! | Have a nice day! | Leaving |
| 30 | Takk for sist! | Thanks for last time! | Meeting someone again |
Watch and listen: Norwegian phrases
Video: “Top 25 Norwegian Phrases – Norwegian for Everyday Life” by Learn Norwegian with NorwegianClass101.com, on YouTube.
Video: “49 Basic Norwegian Phrases for ALL Situations to Start as a Beginner” by Learn Norwegian with NorwegianClass101.com, on YouTube.
FAQ
Is Norwegian hard to learn for English speakers?
It is one of the easier languages for English speakers. The U.S. Foreign Service Institute puts Norwegian in its easiest group, with an estimate of about 24 to 30 weeks of full-time study to reach professional working level.
Should I learn Bokmål or Nynorsk?
Start with Bokmål. It is the written standard most people use, and you will see it on signs, in the news and in most official letters. Mondosol’s course teaches Bokmål.
Can I live in Norway with only English?
In big cities and many workplaces, yes, for a while. But daily life, local news, school letters and making friends are much easier with Norwegian.
Where can I practise these phrases?
Try the free Norwegian course on Mondosol. You speak and answer from the first lesson.
Keep learning
- Practise it: start the free Norwegian course.
- Moving to Norway: the step-by-step checklist for EU citizens.
- Related: how to find a long-term rental in Norway.
Rules for registration and residence can change. This article was checked in October 2026; always confirm details with UDI and the Norwegian police before you act.
