dårlig
The English word 'bad' is translated into Norwegian as dårlig.
Dårlig is used to describe low quality, poor health or an unfavorable state, such as dårlig vær (bad weather).
Meaning: unfavorable, negative (adj)
Which one should you use?
While dårlig refers to bad quality or health, the word ond is used instead when you mean 'bad' in a moral or evil sense. For unfavorable or disadvantageous situations, the more formal word ugunstig can be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The comparative form of dårlig is dårligere (worse), and the superlative form is dårligst (worst). When modifying a plural noun or a noun in the definite form, the adjective takes the ending -e and becomes dårlige.
Did you know?
- The word dårlig can be used to describe a 'bad' mood as dårlig humør, but if a person is 'bad' in the sense of being naughty, the word stygg meaning 'ugly' is often used instead.
- The word dårlig is used in the phrase å ha dårlig tid, which literally means 'to have bad time' but translates to 'to be in a hurry'.
- While dårlig means 'bad', adding the word ganske to create ganske dårlig can sometimes act as a polite understatement in Norwegian culture to signal that something is actually catastrophic.
Examples in context
- Jeg har dårlig syn.I have bad eyesight.This sentence is useful for describing eyesight using dårlig.Tatoeba #6459898 by Meggie, translation #694526 by darinmex
- Tom er en dårlig far.Tom is a bad father.This sentence is useful for describing a person's role as a father using dårlig.Tatoeba #10943064 by Mayk, translation #4667088 by CK
- Han har dårlig hjerte.He has a bad heart.This sentence is useful for describing a medical condition using dårlig.Tatoeba #2948030 by eirik174, translation #299844 by CK
- Det er dårlig værIt's bad weather
- Maten på restauranten var dårligThe food at the restaurant was bad
- Dette er en ugunstig situasjonThis is an unfavorable situation
- Planen har ugunstige konsekvenserThe plan has unfavorable consequences
- Det var kjipt at vi mistet bussenIt was bad that we missed the bus
- Dette er en drittjobbThis is a shitty job
- Jeg er i en drittsituasjon nåI'm in a shitty situation right now
- Jeg likte ikke den ræva filmenI didn't like that crap movie
- Den var dårlig.It was bad.
- Hva synes du om den nye filmen?What do you think of the new movie?
- Den var dritt.It was shit.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nora and Jakob are talking about a movie they just saw.
- NoraVar filmen bra?Was the movie good?
- JakobNei, den var veldig dårlig.No, it was very bad.
- NoraHvorfor var den så dårlig?Why was it so bad?
- JakobHandlingen var kjedelig og treg.The plot was boring and slow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
