god helg
/ɡuː helɡ/word by word
The English phrase "have a nice weekend" is translated into Norwegian as god helg.
god helg is a friendly parting phrase used to wish someone a pleasant Saturday and Sunday. It is typically used on Fridays as a parting greeting before the weekend begins.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "good weekend".
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡuː helɡ/
Did you know?
- Norwegian has a distinction between god for 'good' and gud for 'god', so a slip in pronunciation can change a weekend wish into a religious statement.
- The word god shares an ancient root with the English word 'good', both tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'to join or unite'.
- The phrase is so ubiquitous that it is common practice to say god helg to people you do not know personally, such as a cashier or a bus driver, provided it is Friday.
Examples in context
- God helg.Have a nice weekend.Tatoeba #12485766 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #21294 by CK
- God helg!Have a nice weekend!Tatoeba #12485767 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #325845 by CK
- Ha en god langhelg!Have a good long weekend!
Example conversation
Sofie and Andreas are leaving the office on a Friday afternoon.
- SofieTakk for i dag, god helg!Thanks for today, have a nice weekend!
- AndreasTakk, i like måte!Thanks, same to you!
- SofieTakk, vi ses på mandag.Thanks, see you on Monday.
- AndreasJa, god helg!Yes, have a nice weekend!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (god, helg) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries god, helg, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
