hvit
[ʋiːt]
The English word white is translated into Norwegian as hvit. Wiktionary also lists kvit.
Meaning: color (noun)
Ways to say it
| Norwegian | IPA |
|---|---|
| hvit | [ʋiːt] (Fredrikstad, narrow) |
| kvit |
The term is used to describe the color white or something that is bright and colourless.
Which one should you use?
The form hvit is the standard spelling used in Bokmål, which is the most common written standard in Norway. In some northern areas of Norway, the word kvit is used instead of hvit.
Is it said differently in some regions?
kvit is used in North Norwegian Dialects. In certain parts of Western Norway, locals use the word vit instead of hvit.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing a neuter noun, the adjective takes the ending hvitt or kvitt, such as hvitt hus (a white house). When describing plural nouns or definite nouns, the adjective must change its ending, for example to hvite or kvite.
Did you know?
- The Proto-Indo-European root for hvit is *ḱweytos, which originally meant 'to shine' or 'to be bright'.
- The spelling kvit is not just a dialectal variation but is also the standard way to write the word in the Nynorsk written standard.
- In Norway, the color hvit is often associated with purity and the winter landscape in traditional folk art and poetry.
Examples in context
- Ho har kvite tenner.She has white teeth.This sentence demonstrates the use of kvit to describe teeth.Tatoeba #8160355 by vikvaering, translation #2505911 by Hybrid
- Ho var kvit som krit.She was white as chalk.This sentence shows how to use kvit in a simile comparing someone to chalk.Tatoeba #12487702 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #8836517 by Hybrid
- Er alle svaner kvite?Are all swans white?This sentence uses the plural form kvite to describe swans.Tatoeba #12595735 by Barend, translation #5428618 by CK
- Han hadde på seg en hvit skjorte.He was wearing a white shirt.
- Hun malte veggen hvit.She painted the wall white.
- Denne boken er hvit.This book is white.
- Bilen min er kvit.My car is white.
- Kvite fjelltopperWhite mountaintops
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nora and Jakob are painting a room together.
- NoraSkal vi male veggen hvit?Shall we paint the wall white?
- JakobJa, hvit er en fin farge.Yes, white is a nice color.
- NoraJeg henter den hvite malingen nå.I will get the white paint now.
- JakobTakk, Nora!Thanks, Nora!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “white” translations and entries hvit, kvit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hvit, kvit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
