hvor
/ʋʊɾ/
The English word "where" can be translated into Norwegian as hvor, kvar or kor.
Meaning: at or in what place (adv)
Ways to say it
| Norwegian | IPA |
|---|---|
| hvor | /ʋʊɾ/ |
| kvar | /kʋɑːr/ |
| kor | /kurː/ /kuːr/ |
The word is used as an adverb to ask about the place or location of something or someone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
'hvor' is the standard form used in written Bokmål and formal speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
kvar is used in certain Norwegian dialects, particularly in parts of Western Norway. The form kor is used in various Norwegian dialects, often in spoken language or specific regional varieties.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʋʊɾ/
Did you know?
- The word kor descends from the Ancient Greek khorós, which originally described a 'dance ring'.
- While hvor is the standard written form, using it in casual conversation in many parts of Norway might make you sound more like a textbook than a local.
Examples in context
- Kor er eg no?Where am I now?This sentence is useful for asking about your current location using kor.Tatoeba #12476180 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #873612 by CK
- Hvor er du nå?Where are you now?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's location using hvor.Tatoeba #4870120 by pergpau, translation #679375 by Najeebullah_anh
- Hvor er du fra?Where are you from?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's origin using hvor.Tatoeba #4394491 by beeccy, translation #370703 by saeb
- Hvor er toalettet?Where is the restroom?
- Hvor er nærmeste togstasjon?Where is the nearest train station?
- Hvor er biblioteket?Where is the library?
- Kan du si meg hvor butikken er?Can you tell me where the shop is?
- Kan du si meg hvor postkontoret er?Can you tell me where the post office is?
- Kan du si meg hvor hotellet er?Can you tell me where the hotel is?
- Hvor er festen?Where is the party?
- Hvor er nærmeste café?Where is the nearest café?
- Hvor er stranden?Where is the beach?
- Vet du hvor butikken er?Do you know where the shop is?
- Vet du hvor postkontoret er?Do you know where the post office is?
- Vet du hvor hotellet er?Do you know where the hotel is?
- Hvor er bilen?Where is the car?
- Hvor er bilene?Where are the cars?
- 290 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Magnus and Ingrid are looking for their lost keys.
- MagnusHvor er nøklene våre?Where are our keys?
- IngridJeg vet ikke, Magnus.I don't know, Magnus.
- MagnusHvor kan de være?Where could they be?
- IngridKanskje de ligger i gangen.Maybe they are in the hallway.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “where” translations and entries hvor, kvar, kor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hvor, kor, kvar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
