How to Say “Empty” in Norwegian

Learning how to express the concept of “empty” in Norwegian can greatly enhance your language skills and make your conversations more nuanced. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say “empty” in Norwegian, including formal and informal phrases. While Norwegian has some regional variations, we will focus mainly on the standard Norwegian language used throughout the country.

Formal Ways to Say “Empty”

To indicate something is empty formally, you can use the following phrases in Norwegian:

1. Tom – This is the most common and straightforward way to say “empty” in Norwegian. For example, you can say “Vannflasken er tom” (The water bottle is empty).
2. Tomt – This word is another formal option to convey “empty.” It is often used to describe space or containers, like “Rommet er tomt” (The room is empty) or “Posen er tom” (The bag is empty).
3. Uten innhold – Translating to “without content,” this phrase is used in formal situations to express emptiness. For instance, you can say “Skuffen er uten innhold” (The drawer is without content).

Informal Ways to Say “Empty”

If you prefer a more informal tone, you can use these phrases:

1. Tømt – This term is commonly used in informal speech to mean “emptied.” For example, you can say “Jeg har tømt koppen” (I have emptied the cup).
2. Tom for – This phrase is used informally to imply running out of something, like saying “Bilen er tom for bensin” (The car is out of gas) or “Kjøleskapet er tomt for mat” (The fridge is empty of food).
3. Ryddet – Meaning “cleared” or “tidied up,” this colloquial expression indicates an empty space after organizing or cleaning. For instance, “Vi har ryddet rommet” (We have tidied up the room).

Examples and Tips:

To help you further grasp the usage of these phrases, here are a few examples:

“Kofferten er tom. Jeg må pakke den før turen.” (The suitcase is empty. I have to pack it before the trip.)

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when discussing emptiness:

• When using “tom” or “tomt,” remember to match the gender and number of the noun. For example, “Det tomme huset” (The empty house) but “De tomme husene” (The empty houses).
• If you want to emphasize complete emptiness, you can use intensifiers like “helt” (completely) or “fullstendig” (utterly), such as “Helt tom” (Completely empty) or “Fullstendig tomt” (Utterly empty).
• When speaking casually, Norwegians often drop the preposition “for” in “tom for” and simply say “tom.” For example, “Vi er tom øl” (We are out of beer).

Remember that practice and exposure are crucial for mastering any language. An excellent way to familiarize yourself with these phrases is to engage in conversations with native Norwegian speakers or regularly consume Norwegian media, such as books, movies, or podcasts.

So, whether you are describing an empty room, an empty container, or expressing running out of something, these phrases will prove invaluable in your Norwegian journey. Have fun exploring the beautiful language and culture of Norway!