kjærlighet
/ˈçæːɾlɪˌheːt/masculine
Love in Norwegian is expressed as kjærlighet. Wiktionary also lists åst.
Meaning: strong affection (noun)
Ways to say it
| Norwegian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kjærlighet | /ˈçæːɾlɪˌheːt/ | masculine |
| åst | feminine |
Kjærlighet is a noun referring to the concept of strong affection. To express the action of loving someone or something, you would use the verb elske. For a lighter, more casual way to say "I love you" or "I care about you," you can use the phrase Jeg er glad i deg.
Which one should you use?
Kjærlighet is the noun used to name the concept of love, whereas elske is the verb used to perform the action of loving.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Kjærlighet is a masculine noun. Its definite form is kjærligheten, and its genitive form (meaning "of the love") is kjærlighetens.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈçæːɾlɪˌheːt/
When do people say it?
To convey intense love and passion, one might use the phrase Hjertet mitt banker for deg, which translates to "My heart beats for you."
Did you know?
- The root of the Old Norse word åst is tied to the concept of 'granting' or 'bestowing' something, suggesting that ancient love was viewed as a gift one gives to another.
- While English speakers use 'love' for everything from pizza to soulmates, using the Norwegian verb elske for pizza might make you sound like a poet in a romantic comedy rather than a hungry person.
- In Norway, saying Jeg er glad i deg is often preferred over Jeg elsker deg in early relationships because it feels more grounded and less overwhelming.
Examples in context
- Tom var Marys første kjærlighet.Tom was Mary's first love.This sentence shows how to use kjærlighet to describe a first love.Tatoeba #2962174 by eirik174, translation #1193988 by CK
- Kjærlighet er aldri uten sjalusi.Love is never without jealousy.This sentence uses kjærlighet to make a general statement about love and jealousy.Tatoeba #4394618 by beeccy, translation #347606 by zhouj1955
- Det var kjærlighet ved første blikk.It was love at first sight.This sentence uses kjærlighet in the common idiom for love at first sight.Tatoeba #2918132 by eirik174, translation #456157 by lukaszpp
- Jeg elsker deg.I love you.
- Foreldrene mine elsker meg ubetinget.My parents love me unconditionally.
- Han er mannens elsker.He is the husband's lover.
- Hei kjære!Hi dear!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jakob and Nora are talking about their relationship.
- JakobJeg føler ekte kjærlighet for deg.I feel true love for you.
- NoraDet gjør jeg også, Jakob.I do too, Jakob.
- JakobVår kjærlighet er veldig sterk.Our love is very strong.
- NoraJa, vi betyr alt for hverandre.Yes, we mean everything to each other.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “love” translations and entries kjærlighet, åst, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kjærlighet, åst, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
