vær så snill
The English phrase "please" is translated into Norwegian as vær så snill. Wiktionary also lists ver så snill.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Norwegian |
|---|
| vær så snill |
| ver så snill |
Vær så snill is used as an interjection to add politeness to a request, functioning similarly to the English "please".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase vær så snill literally translates to "be so kind".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using vær så snill to request an action, it is common to use the conjunction og (and) before the second verb. For example, you might say Vær så snill og kom her to mean "Please and come here".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may over-rely on vennligst (kindly) in spoken Norwegian, but vennligst is primarily used in formal written instructions or signs, whereas vær så snill is the standard for spoken requests.
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, the word vær in this phrase can be confused with other Norwegian words meaning 'weather' or 'male sheep'.
- Using vær så snill too frequently in a single conversation can actually sound pleading or desperate rather than polite to a native speaker.
- The word snill in vær så snill does not just mean 'kind'. In many contexts it is used to describe a child who is 'well-behaved' or 'good'.
Examples in context
- Vær så snill, svar meg.Please answer me.This sentence shows how to use vær så snill when asking for an answer.Tatoeba #12576106 by elithyia, translation #250796 by Zifre
- Vær så snill å straff ham.Please punish him.This sentence demonstrates using vær så snill in a request for punishment.Tatoeba #5145200 by sotolf, translation #5144098 by Airvian
- Vær så snill og skynd deg.Please hurry.This sentence illustrates the common pattern of using vær så snill to ask someone to hurry.Tatoeba #12259608 by augine, translation #19733 by Swift
- Vær så snill, kan du låne meg en penn?Please, can you lend me a pen?
- Vær så snill, kan du hjelpe meg med veibeskrivelsen?Please, can you help me with the directions?
- Vær så god og sett deg ned.Please have a seat.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jakob and Sofie are at home and Jakob needs help with something.
- JakobVær så snill, kan du hjelpe meg?Please, can you help me?
- SofieHva trenger du hjelp med, Jakob?What do you need help with, Jakob?
- JakobJeg trenger å bære disse posene.I need to carry these bags.
- SofieDet skal jeg gjøre.I will do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries vær så snill, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries så, vær, vær så snill, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
