Category: Language

Blog of Norway, Language

What is the difference between “Uff da” and “Uffa meg” in Norwegian?

This is a tricky one, because although these two expressions sound roughly the same to a foreign ear, Norwegians have very distinct contexts in which they use these expressions. In Norwegian classes nobody teaches you how to use these expressions. Instead foreigners learn expressions like Ugler i mosen and Svin på skogen, see this article for more Norwegian expressions. But reality is that Norwegians do … Continue reading What is the difference between “Uff da” and “Uffa meg” in Norwegian?

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© Alice Baguet
Blog of Norway, Language

Is Norwegian Hard to Learn?

Despite what the internet tells you, no language can be learned in 3 days. Norwegian is no exception. 1-Learning Norwegian is easier depending on which other languages you speak fluently. If you speak English it will be a bit hard, but not too hard. I am a native French speaker and speak English as my second language. At the beginning I felt like English and … Continue reading Is Norwegian Hard to Learn?

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Blog of Norway, Language

What the Faen? How to Swear in Norwegian

Swearing in Norwegian is something one should do very carefully, probably like in any other language. The reason is that some swear words may not have a direct translation in your language, so you might not grasp the strength of the swear words. Or it has one but which should not be used in the same context. One example: I believed for many years that … Continue reading What the Faen? How to Swear in Norwegian

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Blog of Norway, Language

Learning Norwegian with the Corona Crisis! 15 (New) Norwegian Words to Know.

Since the Corona virus has hit us and measures have been taken, many new words appeared in the Norwegian media as well as in daily conversations. The Norwegian language has a huge creative power since one can put two words together to create a new word. So new words can appear very quickly as people can create them themselves. For more posts on Norwegian language, … Continue reading Learning Norwegian with the Corona Crisis! 15 (New) Norwegian Words to Know.

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Blog of Norway, Language

After 60 years of presence in Norway, the French Cultural Institute is shut down by the French Government.

It is now official the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs has decided to close the French Institute of Norway, alongside the French Institutes in Canada, Costa Rica and Brazil. This is in the Notification number 2303 made by the Ministry to the State Budget for 2020 on the 10th of October 2019, which can be found in this official document from the National … Continue reading After 60 years of presence in Norway, the French Cultural Institute is shut down by the French Government.

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Language

8 Strange French Words with Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

I am French and have been living in Norway for almost 10 years, and mostly blogging about Norway, Norwegian culture and language. But more and more I get questions about my own country, society and language. How is it to be a foreigner and especially a Norwegian in France? Is it hard to learn French? So in collaboration with the French cultural and education institution … Continue reading 8 Strange French Words with Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

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Language

The Norwegian Birthday Song Officially the Hardest in the World to Learn. I mean, come on.

Last night I was at my boyfriend’s Birthday party, and when the Norwegians around me started singing “Hurra for Deg som Fyller ditt år” I thought “Oh damn, I still haven’t learned that song”. Then I fell in shame (as I usually do when this happens) and looked at other people and tried to remember the lyrics. I tried to hop and turn and stuff … Continue reading The Norwegian Birthday Song Officially the Hardest in the World to Learn. I mean, come on.

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Language

8 Unbelievably Strange Norwegian Words With Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

“Why don’t you learn Chinese or Spanish, or any other language spoken by more than a few sheep and 5 million people” asked my parents while I was learning Norwegian. My answer is always that Norwegian is a fantastic and very funny language. Some of the words the Norwegian language has created requires either a lot of imagination or high doses of hallucinative drugs to … Continue reading 8 Unbelievably Strange Norwegian Words With Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

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Language, Politics

Why did Anders Behring Breivik officially change his name to “Idiot”?

Every now and then, the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik comes up with new ideas to get the press talk about him. Last year he filed a complaint, claiming that he was being tortured by the Norwegian authorities in jail. Now he is changing his name to something quite unexpected.  For those who need a little reminder, Breivik is the guy who made a … Continue reading Why did Anders Behring Breivik officially change his name to “Idiot”?

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