Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “they” in Norwegian! This article will explore both the formal and informal ways to express this pronoun. While Norwegian is a language with regional variations, we will focus primarily on the standard written form of Bokmål. Throughout this guide, you will find tips, examples, and explanations to help you understand and use the Norwegian equivalent of “they” fluently.
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Formal Ways to Say “They” in Norwegian
In formal Norwegian, the equivalent of “they” is “de.” This form is used when addressing individuals or groups in a respectful or professional manner. Here are a few examples to illustrate the use of “de” in sentences:
Example 1: De kommer til møtet senere. (They will arrive at the meeting later.)
Example 2: Jeg har pratet med de, og de er fornøyde. (I have talked with them, and they are satisfied.)
Remember to use the appropriate verb forms and adjective agreement when using the formal “de.” Since Norwegian verbs conjugate differently based on subject pronouns, make sure you adjust the verb accordingly.
Informal Ways to Say “They” in Norwegian
When referring to “they” in an informal context, Norwegian uses different pronouns based on gender. Let’s explore these variations:
1. Masculine Gender
If you are referring to a group of males or mixed gender individuals including at least one male, you should use the pronoun “de.” Here’s an example:
Example: De løper i parken. (They are running in the park.)
Note that the verb form used with masculine “de” is similar to the formal “de.”
2. Feminine Gender
For a group consisting solely of females, you will use the pronoun “de.” Here’s an example to illustrate this:
Example: De er på kafeen. (They are at the café.)
Again, the verb form used with feminine “de” remains the same as the formal “de.”
3. Neutral Gender
When referring to a group or objects without a gender distinction, Norwegian uses the pronoun “det” to express “they.” Here’s an example of its usage:
Example: Det er så godt å ha en gruppe der. (They are so nice to have a group there.)
As seen in the example above, the verb form with neutral “det” follows the same pattern as the other pronouns.
Additional Tips and Regional Variations
Although the forms mentioned above are the most commonly used Norwegian equivalents of “they,” there are a few regional variations worth noting:
- In some areas, the plural pronoun “dere” can replace “de” in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is important to remember that “dere” primarily translates to “you” in English.
- While not commonly used, some Norwegian dialects may have unique pronouns for “they.” It is always helpful to research specific regional dialects if you interact with speakers from certain areas.
- When expressing “they” as a subject without a known gender, some dialects may use “d’å” or “då” as a shorter form.
Remember to adapt the verb forms and adjective agreement according to the specific pronoun used. Keep in mind that Norwegian verbs change slightly depending on the subject pronoun. When using “de” or “det,” make sure to use appropriate verb forms like “kommer” or “er” respectively.
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of how to say “they” in Norwegian, it’s time to practice and integrate these pronouns into your conversations. Embrace these variants and make your Norwegian communication more precise and fluent.
Happy learning and enjoy exploring the Norwegian language!
