How to Use the Prepositions ‘i’ and ‘på’ in Norwegian

In the Norwegian language, prepositions are used extensively to express specific relationships between different elements of a sentence. The prepositions ‘i’ and ‘på’ are two such words that hold a lot of significance in Norwegian. They can be a little tricky to master for beginners, as they both can translate to ‘in’, ‘at’, or ‘on’ in English, depending on the context. This article provides an in-depth guide on how to use ‘i’ and ‘på’ in Norwegian.

The Preposition ‘i’

‘i’ is a versatile preposition and is primarily used to denote a location or place in a sentence. It often translates as ‘in’ or ‘at’ in English. For instance, ‘Jeg er i Norge’ means ‘I am in Norway’.

‘I’ can also describe time: ‘i morgen’ (in the morning), ‘i ettermiddag’ (in the afternoon), ‘i kveld’ (in the evening), and seasons: ‘i sommer’ (in the summer), ‘i vinter’ (in the winter), ‘i vår’ (in the spring), ‘i høst’ (in the fall).

When expressing movement towards the inside of something, ‘i’ is equivalent to ‘into’ in English. For instance, ‘He goes into the house’ would be ‘Han går inn i huset’.

There are numerous Norwegian phrases and idioms that use ‘i’. For example, ‘i alle fall’ (in any case), ‘i gjennomsnitt’ (on average), ‘i det siste’ (recently or lately).

The Preposition ‘på’

‘På’ is another commonly used preposition in Norwegian, often used to denote a location when something is positioned on a surface or at a place. For example, ‘Boken er på bordet’ means ‘The book is on the table’.

When referring to events, ‘på’ is used. For instance, ‘på en konsert’ (at a concert), ‘på møtet’ (at the meeting).

‘På’ is also used to denote days of the week, unlike English where ‘on’ is used: ‘på mandag’ (on Monday), ‘på tirsdag’ (on Tuesday).

Just like ‘i’, ‘på’ is also used in numerous phrases and idioms, such as ‘på grunn av’ (because of), ‘på tross av’ (in spite of), ‘på vegne av’ (on behalf of).

Differences and Exceptions

Despite many similarities, ‘i’ and ‘på’ are used differently in several contexts. For example, while ‘i’ is used for larger places like countries and cities: i Norgen (in Norway), i Oslo (in Oslo), ‘på’ is used for smaller places or places seen as a point on a map: på universitetet (at the university), på kontoret (at the office).

In addition, when you refer to a location with a verb that indicates movement (like ‘go’ or ‘come’), Norwegians usually use ’til’ instead of ‘i’ or ‘på’. For example, ‘I am going to Norway’ would be ‘Jeg skal til Norge’, not ‘Jeg skal i Norge’ or ‘Jeg skal på Norge’. But in a movement towards places where you usually use ‘på’ like ‘på kontoret’ (at the office) you can also use ‘på’ for movement: “Jeg skal på kontoret.” (I am going to the office.)

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to understand and use ‘i’ and ‘på’ correctly is to practice as much as possible. Try to create your own sentences or translate English sentences into Norwegian. Go to Norwegian classes, read Norwegian text, listen to Norwegian music or podcasts, and, if possible, engage in conversations with native speakers.

Conclusion

Prepositions may seem like small, simple words, but they hold substantial power in shaping the meaning and structure of sentences. Understanding how to use ‘i’ and ‘på’ in Norwegian is a significant step towards mastering the language. Language learning takes time and patience, so keep practicing, and you’ll see progress in your Norwegian language skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can ‘i’ and ‘på’ be used interchangeably in Norwegian?

No, ‘i’ and ‘på’ cannot be used interchangeably. While both can translate to ‘in’, ‘at’, or ‘on’ in English, their usage depends on the context. For instance, ‘i’ is used for larger places like countries and cities (i Norge, i Oslo), while ‘på’ is used for smaller places or places seen as a point on a map (på universitetet, på kontoret).

2. How do I know when to use ‘i’ and ‘på’ when expressing time?

‘I’ is often used when referring to periods of the day, months, and seasons. For example, ‘i morgen’ (in the morning), ‘i januar’ (in January), ‘i sommer’ (in the summer). On the other hand, ‘på’ is used when referring to specific days of the week, like ‘på mandag’ (on Monday), ‘på tirsdag’ (on Tuesday).

3. What preposition should I use to indicate movement towards a location?

Generally, when referring to a location with a verb that indicates movement, such as ‘go’ or ‘come’, Norwegians usually use ’til’ instead of ‘i’ or ‘på’. For example, ‘I am going to Norway’ would be ‘Jeg skal til Norge’.

4. Are there any fixed expressions with ‘i’ and ‘på’?

Yes, numerous phrases and idioms use both ‘i’ and ‘på’. For example, ‘i det siste’ (recently or lately), ‘i alle fall’ (in any case), ‘på vegne av’ (on behalf of), ‘på grunn av’ (because of).