reise
In Norwegian, the English verb 'go' can be translated in several ways depending on the context, with reise being the default form. Wiktionary also lists fare and dra.
Meaning: to move through space (especially from one place to another) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Norwegian | IPA |
|---|---|
| reise | |
| fare | |
| dra | |
| fara | /²fɑːrɑ/ |
The various forms of 'go' in Norwegian are used to describe moving through space or moving from one place to another.
Which one should you use?
The form reise is more specific than the others, as it implies traveling or taking a trip. In contrast, the other forms are used for general movement. The form dra is the most common way to say 'go' when the focus is specifically on leaving a place or departing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb dra changes according to the tense: the present tense is drar, the past tense is dro and the perfect tense is har dratt.
Did you know?
- While dra means 'go' or 'leave', its primary meaning in other contexts is 'to pull'. This is why you use the same word to describe pulling a wagon and leaving a party.
- In Norwegian, the verb fare can be used both to describe the act of going and to describe being in danger. This dual meaning is a remnant of when traveling was considered inherently risky.
- If you use the verb reise to describe a trip, you are using a word that is a causative form of the Old Norse word for 'to rise'. Literally, traveling was conceptualized as 'causing oneself to rise'.
Examples in context
- Du kan dra nå.You may go now.This sentence is useful for saying someone is permitted to leave using dra.Tatoeba #3551439 by danieljtah, translation #1895710 by CK
- Eg må dra dit.I have to go there.This sentence is useful for expressing a necessity to go to a specific place using dra.Tatoeba #12600398 by Barend, translation #2360521 by CK
- Du må dra hjem.You've got to go home.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of going home using dra.Tatoeba #3547438 by danieljtah, translation #3331054 by CK
- Jeg skal gå til butikkenI am going to the store
- Jeg skal reise på ferieI am going on a vacation
- La oss rusle en turLet's go for a walk
- Jeg skal dra på festenI am going to the party
- Jeg skal stikke hjemI am going home
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their upcoming summer vacation.
- AndreasSkal du reise i sommer?Are you going to travel this summer?
- EmmaJa, jeg skal reise til Spania.Yes, I am going to travel to Spain.
- AndreasDet høres ut som en reise jeg vil dra på også.That sounds like a trip I would want to go on too.
- EmmaDu må reise med oss!You must travel with us!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go” translations and entries reise, fare, dra, fara, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dra, fare, reise, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
