May 17, known as Syttende Mai in Norwegian, is the National Day of Norway. It’s a day filled with celebrations, parades, and joyous festivities. If you’d like to greet someone and express your well wishes for this special day, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to say “Happy May 17” in Norwegian, including formal and informal ways, with some tips and examples included.
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Formal Greetings
When it comes to formal expressions, Norwegians tend to use phrases that honor the importance and significance of the occasion. Here are a few formal ways to say “Happy May 17” in Norwegian:
1. Gratulerer med 17. mai!
A direct translation of “Happy May 17” would be “Gratulerer med 17. mai!” This formal greeting is used widely across Norway to celebrate the country’s National Day. Remember to pronounce “Gratulerer” as “GRAT-oo-lehr,” “med” as “meh,” and “17. mai” as “SIE-tent-uh mai.”
2. Ønsker deg en gledelig 17. mai!
If you’d like to wish someone a joyful May 17 in a more formal manner, you can say “Ønsker deg en gledelig 17. mai!” This translates to “Wishing you a joyful May 17!” Pronounce “Ønsker” as “UN-skur,” “deg” as “deh,” “en” as “ehn,” “gledelig” as “GLAY-deh-leh,” and “17. mai” as “SIE-tent-uh mai.”
Informal Expressions
Informal greetings in Norwegian often convey a friendlier tone. Here are a couple of ways to say “Happy May 17” in a more casual context:
1. Ha en fantastisk 17. mai!
You can express your excitement for May 17 in a more informal way by saying “Ha en fantastisk 17. mai!” This phrase means “Have a fantastic May 17!” Remember to pronounce “Ha” as “hah,” “en” as “ehn,” “fantastisk” as “fahn-TAH-stisk,” and “17. mai” as “SIE-tent-uh mai.”
2. Kos deg på 17. mai!
Another informal expression to wish someone a great May 17 is “Kos deg på 17. mai!” This can be translated to “Enjoy yourself on May 17!” Pronounce “Kos” as “koss,” “deg” as “deh,” “på” as “poh,” and “17. mai” as “SIE-tent-uh mai.”
Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to help you deliver your greeting with confidence:
1. Use a joyful tone:
Make sure to convey happiness and excitement in your voice when wishing someone a “Happy May 17.” This will reflect the festive nature of the occasion and leave a positive impression.
2. Combine phrases with personal greetings:
Adding a personal touch to your May 17 greeting can make it more meaningful. For example, you can say “Gratulerer med 17. mai! Håper du får en fantastisk dag!” which means “Happy May 17! I hope you have a fantastic day!”
3. Emphasize cultural significance:
While greeting someone, you can mention the cultural importance of May 17 in Norway. For instance, you may say “Gratulerer med nasjonaldagen! Håper du nyter feiringen og det norske fellesskapet!” (Congratulations on the National Day! I hope you enjoy the celebration and the Norwegian community!”).
Example:
“Gratulerer med nasjonaldagen! Håper du nyter feiringen og det norske fellesskapet! Kos deg på 17. mai!”
(Congratulations on the National Day! I hope you enjoy the celebration and the Norwegian community! Enjoy yourself on May 17!)
Wrapping Up
Saying “Happy May 17” in Norwegian is a wonderful way to join in the celebrations during this special day in Norway. Whether you choose to use formal or informal expressions, always remember to maintain a warm and joyous tone. May your greetings bring smiles to the faces of those you wish “Happy May 17!” Gratulerer med 17. mai!
