Norsk · Norwegian
Learn Norwegian vocabulary
Closely related to Swedish and Danish; fairly simple grammar.
Norwegian is closely related to Swedish and Danish, with a degree of mutual intelligibility among the three. Its grammar is relatively simple compared with many European languages.
Norwegian has two written standards: Bokmål and Nynorsk.
What to know
- Closely related to Swedish and Danish.
- Two written standards (Bokmål and Nynorsk).
- Relatively simple grammar.
Study tips
- Learn words by listening.
- If you study other Scandinavian languages, note the similarities.
- Treat the word forms in the app as your reference.
Where is it spoken?
Norwegian is spoken in Norway and has two written standards (Bokmål and Nynorsk).
Pronunciation and spelling notes
Like Swedish, Norwegian words carry a melodic tone difference. The "kj" and "skj" sounds take getting used to, and "æ, ø, å" are separate vowels.
Which languages help?
It is a close relative of Swedish and Danish; in writing it is especially similar to Danish.
A roadmap for your first week
In week one, start with greetings, numbers and everyday words. For the Norwegian written standard (Bokmål or Nynorsk), treat the word forms in the app as your reference and stay with one. Learning by ear makes spelling differences easier to manage.
Common mistakes
- Mixing the two written standards (Bokmål and Nynorsk); watch which one your source uses.
- Mixing it up with Danish spelling: the two are close but different.
- Trying to work out pronunciation from writing; some sounds (for example "kj") take getting used to.
A small sample word list
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| hei | hello |
| takk | thank you |
| vær så snill | please |
| vann | water |
| et hus | house |
| en venn | friend |
| ja | yes |
| nei | no |
| god | good |
| i dag | today |
This list is our own; it is not an official list and only gives a feel for the first steps in this language.
Studying Norwegian in Frigya
When you add Norwegian in Frigya, you choose a separate level (A1–C2) and daily word goal for it. In Discover you meet new words and in Learn you reinforce them with spaced repetition; you can listen to words and example sentences. You can start without an account.
Frequently asked questions
Should I learn Bokmål or Nynorsk?
Does Swedish or Danish help with Norwegian?
In Frigya you choose a separate level (A1–C2) and daily word goal for this language. For details see the levels guide.
Learn this language in Frigya
Try it without an account. If you like it, link your progress to one.
iOS: Coming soon The App Store version is in preparation