mål
/moːl/neuter
In Norwegian, the English phrase 'goal' is translated as mål. If unsure, use mål. Wiktionary also lists målsetting and siktemål.
Meaning: result one is attempting to achieve (noun)
Ways to say it
| Norwegian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mål | /moːl/ | neuter |
| målsetting | common gender | |
| siktemål | neuter |
The word mål refers to a result one is attempting to achieve. In the context of sports such as football, it is also used to refer to the physical goal structure and the act of scoring a goal.
Which one should you use?
While mål refers to the goal itself, målsetting is often used to describe the process of setting goals or a specific objective. The form siktemål is a neuter noun, whereas målsetting is a common-gender noun. The word mål can also be used as its own plural form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun mål is neuter. The noun målsetting is common-gender. The neuter form siktemål is also available.
How do you pronounce it?
/moːl/
Did you know?
- The word mål is a linguistic chameleon that can mean a physical 'measurement', a 'language', or even a 'meal' depending on the context.
- The word mål descends from two different Proto-Germanic roots: one meaning 'measure' and another meaning 'speech' or 'gathering'.
- Because mål can mean 'language', you might hear someone talk about their mål instead of their 'goal'.
Examples in context
- Er det målet ditt?Is that your goal?This sentence is useful for asking if something is the mål of the listener.Tatoeba #2916856 by eirik174, translation #2897082 by megamanenm
- Hva var målet ditt?What was your goal?This sentence is useful for asking what the past mål of the listener was.Tatoeba #10941103 by Mayk, translation #6713401 by Eccles17
- Til sjuande og sist har vi same mål.At the end of the day, we have the same goal.This sentence is useful for stating that people share the same mål.Tatoeba #12477639 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #10698520 by felidad
- Hans har et mål om å bli lederHans has a goal to become a leader
- Vårt sluttmål er å redusere CO2-utslippeneOur end goal is to reduce CO2 emissions
- Min hensikt er å forbedre effektivitetenMy goal is to improve efficiency
- Planen min er å besøke alle de vakreste stedene i Norge i løpet av året.My goal is to visit all the most beautiful places in Norway within a year.
- Hva er målet ditt for dette prosjektet?What is your goal for this project?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Magnus and Ingrid are talking about their career plans.
- MagnusHva er ditt største mål i år?What is your biggest goal this year?
- IngridMitt mål er å få en ny jobb.My goal is to get a new job.
- MagnusDet høres ut som et godt mål.That sounds like a good goal.
- IngridTakk, Magnus. Jeg skal jobbe hardt.Thanks, Magnus. I will work hard.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goal” translations and entries mål, målsetting, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mål, målsetting, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
