How to Say "My Friend" in Norwegian

vennen min

The Norwegian phrase for 'my friend' is vennen min.

The phrase refers to a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase uses the definite form of the noun venn (vennen) combined with the possessive pronoun min to express 'my friend'.

While vennen min is the most common way to say 'my friend', you can also say min venn, which is more formal or poetic.

The phrase is constructed using the definite form of the noun venn (vennen) and the possessive pronoun min.

Calling someone vennen min in a sarcastic or condescending tone can be used as a subtle way to signal disagreement or a warning during an argument.
Using the construction vennen min involves a 'double marking' of definiteness that does not exist in English, where you cannot attach a definite article to a noun and a possessive together.
While venn is for a person, you might hear people use the word kompis to mean 'buddy' or 'mate', which is much more common in casual conversation than the formal venn.

Neste uke vil jeg besøke vennen min.
Next week I want to visit my friend.
This sentence shows how to use vennen min when talking about future plans.
Tatoeba #5145616 by sotolf, translation #5141208 by honestlang
Vennen min anbefalte meg å ikke kjøpe en iPad ennå, men vente og se hva konkurrentene til Apple kommer med.
My friend recommended that I shouldn't buy an iPad yet, but to wait until I see what Apple's competitors come out with.
This sentence shows how to use vennen min when describing a recommendation.
Tatoeba #5618295 by Meggie, translation #918473 by CK
Bob er vennen min.
Bob is my friend.
This sentence shows how to use vennen min to identify someone.
Tatoeba #1415619 by Combine988, translation #33182 by CN
Dette er min venn, Peter.
This is my friend, Peter.
Møt min venninne, Maria.
Meet my friend, Maria.
Min venn, Anna, arbeider som lege.
My friend, Anna, works as a doctor.
Hei kompis! Vil du bli med på kino?
Hey buddy! Do you want to come to the cinema?
Han er min beste venn – vi har kjent hverandre i ti år.
He is my best friend – we have known each other for ten years.

Sofie and Magnus are talking about a party.

Sofie

Hvem er han som står der?
Who is that man standing there?
Magnus

Det er vennen min fra skolen.
That is my friend from school.
Sofie

Er han også fra Oslo?
Is he also from Oslo?
Magnus

Ja, vennen min bor rett ved siden av meg.
Yes, my friend lives right next to me.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏