Ways to say it
| Norwegian | Note |
|---|---|
| arbeid | neuter |
| jobb | masculine |
| verk | neuter |
The term for work varies significantly based on whether you are discussing labor in general, a specific occupation or a creative production. You use arbeid to refer to work as an abstract concept, a body of work or labor in a general sense. When you want to refer to an artistic or literary creation, such as a painting or a book, use verk.
Which one should you use?
Arbeid is used for work as an uncountable or abstract concept, whereas jobb refers to a specific job or occupation. Verk is distinct from the others as it refers specifically to an artistic or creative work.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Jobb is a masculine noun, so 'a job' is 'en jobb'. Arbeid and verk are both neuter nouns, so 'a work' or 'a piece of work' would be 'et arbeid'.
When do people say it?
The phrase på jobb is the standard way to say that someone is 'at work' or 'on the job'.
Did you know?
- The Norwegian word verk, used for an artistic 'work', shares an ancient ancestor with the Old Norse word for 'pain'.
- While 'job' in English often refers to a task, the Norwegian jobb is a direct loanword from English that has become fully integrated into the language.
- The term yrke, which relates to the root of verk, is the word used to describe one's profession or trade.
Examples in context
- Han fór på jobb.He left for work.This sentence shows how to use jobb to say someone left for work.Tatoeba #12950092 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #12949696 by Conjuice
- Du var sen på jobb.You were late for work.This sentence demonstrates using jobb to say someone was late for work.Tatoeba #2882045 by eirik174, translation #16104 by Swift
- Eg jobbar i Sveits.I work in Switzerland.This sentence uses the verb form of jobb to say someone works in a specific location.Tatoeba #12471005 by Just_Some_Guy, translation #10073384 by Rawrren
- Jeg liker mitt arbeidI like my work
- Hun har fått en ny jobbShe has gotten a new job
- Jeg er opptatt med jobbing i dagI am busy with work today
- Jeg gleder meg til å begynne i ny jobb.I'm looking forward to starting my new job.
- Arbeidet mitt krever mye konsentrasjon.My work requires a lot of concentration.
- Hun har ikke fast jobb, men mange småoppdrag.She doesn't have a regular job but many small assignments (gigs).
- Jeg er sliten etter en lang dag med jobbing.I'm tired after a long day of work.
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nora and Kristoffer are discussing their daily schedules.
- NoraNår er du ferdig med arbeid i dag?When are you finished with work today?
- KristofferJeg er ferdig med mitt arbeid klokken fire.I am finished with my work at four o'clock.
- NoraDet er tidlig! Har du mye arbeid nå?That is early! Do you have much work now?
- KristofferJa, det er mye arbeid denne uken.Yes, there is a lot of work this week.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “work” translations and entries arbeid, jobb, verk, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arbeid, jobb, verk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
