kjeks
In Norwegian, 'cookie' is translated as kjeks.
kjeks refers to small, flat baked goods that are typically hard and crunchy, similar to a biscuit.
Meaning: small, flat baked good (noun)
Which one should you use?
While kjeks specifically describes hard, crunchy biscuits or cookies, it is not used for soft, cake-like cookies. For a more general term covering a variety of small, sweet baked goods, Norwegians often use småkaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word kjeks is a masculine noun. The indefinite singular form is en kjeks. The word is identical in both its singular and plural forms, so kjeks can mean both 'a cookie' and 'cookies'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use kjeks if you are referring to soft, cake-like cookies. Use småkaker instead.
Did you know?
- While many people assume Norwegian words for food are Germanic, kjeks is actually a direct loanword from the English plural 'cakes'.
- When hosting a traditional coffee hour, småkaker are typically served on a plate alongside a cake, rather than as a standalone snack.
- In some contexts, kjeks can be used to describe any crisp, cracker-like wafer, regardless of whether it is sweet or savory.
Examples in context
- Jeg spiser en kjeks.I'm eating a cookie.
- Jeg vil gjerne ha en kjeks.I would like a cookie.
- Denne kjeksen er veldig god.This cookie is very good.
- Vil du ha en kjeks til?Do you want another cookie?
Example conversation
Nora and Andreas are having tea in the kitchen.
- NoraVil du ha en kjeks til teen?Do you want a cookie with the tea?
- AndreasJa takk, Nora.Yes please, Nora.
- NoraHvilken kjeks vil du ha?Which cookie do you want?
- AndreasJeg tar en med sjokolade.I will take one with chocolate.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kjeks, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kjeks, CC BY-SA 4.0.
