What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of takk (thanks), for (for), bursdag (birthday) and hilsenene (the wishes/greetings).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding tusen (thousand) before takk to get tusen takk for bursdagshilsenene makes the expression warmer and more enthusiastic. If you want to be more formal, you can use Jeg setter stor pris på bursdagshilsenen (I greatly appreciate the birthday wish).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bursdagshilsen means 'birthday wish'. In the default phrase, the plural definite form bursdagshilsenene is used to refer to multiple wishes, whereas bursdagshilsen is the singular indefinite form.
When do people say it?
In Norwegian social contexts, it is very common to use enthusiastic expressions of thanks, such as adding tusen to your gratitude.
Did you know?
- When responding to takk for bursdagshilsenene on social media, Norwegians frequently use a 'heart' emoji alone as a secondary form of non-verbal gratitude.
- While takk is the standard word for 'thanks', using tusen takk literally means 'a thousand thanks', reflecting a cultural preference for hyperbolic gratitude in social settings.
- The word takk shares the same ancient roots as the English word 'thank', both coming from the Proto-Germanic *þankō.
Examples in context
- Takk for bursdagshilsenene alle sammen!Thank you for the birthday wishes everyone!
- Tusen takk for bursdagshilsenene i går.Thank you very much for the birthday wishes yesterday.
Example conversation
Ingrid has sent a birthday message to Kristoffer.
- KristofferHei Ingrid, takk for bursdagshilsenene!Hi Ingrid, thank you for the birthday wishes!
- IngridBare hyggelig, Kristoffer!You're welcome, Kristoffer!
- KristofferHadde du en fin dag i går?Did you have a nice day yesterday?
- IngridJa, det hadde jeg.Yes, I did.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries for, takk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
