eller
The English phrase "or" is translated into Norwegian as eller.
You can also use certain phrases to add nuance to your speech. The informal phrase Eller hva translates to "or what" and can be added at the end of a sentence to invite confirmation or agreement. Another informal phrase is Eller noe, which means "or anything" and implies leaving the decision open-ended.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain dialects, especially in parts of western Norway, eller no may be used instead of eller noe.
Did you know?
- The word eller shares an ancient root with the English word 'else', both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European ancestor.
- Norwegian uses eller in a specific construction called eller hva? which can be used sarcastically to imply that the other person is being ridiculous.
- The phrase eller hva is so common in spoken Norwegian that it can function as a rhetorical device to signal that the speaker is actually not asking a question at all.
Examples in context
- Er du døv, eller noe?Are you deaf or something?Tatoeba #8138040 by vikvaering, translation #3983930 by Hybrid
- Drikk du øl eller vin?Do you drink beer or wine?Tatoeba #12520003 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #1761917 by CK
- Er disse dine eller mine?Are these yours or mine?Tatoeba #11070951 by Mayk, translation #11068897 by CK
- Ønsker du å bestille biff eller laks?Do you want to order steak or salmon?
- Vi skal på fest i kveld, eller hva?We're going to a party tonight, right?
- Skal du bli med på turen, eller hva?Are you coming on the trip, right?
- Vil du ha noe å drikke, øl eller noe?Do you want something to drink, beer or anything?
- Skal vi dra på stranden, bade eller noe?Should we go to the beach, swim or anything?
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to do on a Saturday.
- KristofferSkal vi gå på kino, eller vil du heller bli hjemme?Shall we go to the cinema, or would you rather stay home?
- IngridJeg vet ikke helt.I don't quite know.
- KristofferVi kan dra på café eller kanskje gå en tur.We can go to a cafe or maybe go for a walk.
- IngridDet høres fint ut, Kristoffer.That sounds nice, Kristoffer.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eller, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
