A Comprehensive Guide to Capital Letter Usage in Norwegian

 

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction to Capitalization in Norwegian
  2. Proper Nouns: People, Places, and Organizations
  3. Titles and Honorifics
  4. Days, Months, and Holidays
  5. First Word in a Sentence
  6. Abbreviations and Acronyms
  7. Product Names and Brands
  8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  9. Conclusion
  10. FAQ

 

 

1. Introduction 

Norwegian capitalization rules are critical for learning the language, communicating clearly, and presenting professionally written work.

This article examines when to use capital letters in Norwegian, enhancing your linguistic skills and overall understanding.

 

 

2. Proper Nouns: People, Places, and Organizations

Capitalization is crucial when referring to proper nouns, which are specific names for individuals, locations, and entities. Examples include:

  • People’s names: Erna Solberg, Erling Braut Haaland
  • Place names: Oslo, Lofoten, Norge (Norway)
  • Organizations and institutions: Universitetet i Oslo (the University of Oslo), Stortinget (the Norwegian Parliament), Røde Kors (Red Cross)

 

3. Titles and Honorifics

When used with a person’s name, titles and honorifics are capitalized; however, when used generically, they are not. Here are some examples:

  • Capitalized with name: Kong Harald (King Harald), Statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre (Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre)
  • Not capitalized in general usage: en konge (a king), en statsminister (a prime minister)

 

4. Days, Months, and Holidays

In Norwegian, days of the week, months, and names of holidays are not capitalized, contrary to English conventions:

  • Days of the week: mandag (Monday), tirsdag (Tuesday), onsdag (Wednesday)
  • Months: januar (January), februar (February), mars (March)
  • Holidays: jul (Christmas), påske (Easter), nasjonaldagen (National Day)

 

5. First Word in a Sentence

As in English, the first word in a sentence should always be capitalized:

  • Example: Hun går til skolen. (She walks to school.)

 

6. Abbreviations and Acronyms

When using abbreviations or acronyms, capitalize all letters to maintain clarity:

  • NAV (“Arbeids- og velferdsforvaltningen”, originally named “Ny arbeids- og velferdsforvaltning”) – The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration 
  • EU (Den europeiske union) – EU (the European Union)
  • FN (De forente nasjoner) – UN (the United Nations)

 

7. Product Names and Brands

Product names and brands are generally capitalized, as they are considered proper nouns:

  • Tine, Freia, Tesla

 

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Some common capitalization errors include:

  • Capitalizing common nouns: In Norwegian, common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.
  • Overcapitalizing: Avoid capitalizing all words in a title or heading, as Norwegian uses sentence-style capitalization.

Your Norwegian capitalization skills will improve significantly by being mindful of these common mistakes and adhering to the above rules.

 

9. Conclusion

Understanding and applying Norwegian capitalization rules is essential for clear communication and professional presentations. Following the guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide will help you improve your linguistic abilities and avoid common errors. 

Whether you’re writing a formal document, a personal letter, or conversing in Norwegian, mastering capitalization will help you improve your overall fluency and confidence in the language.

Remember always to capitalize:

  • Proper nouns, such as names of people, places, and organizations
  • Titles and honorifics, when used with a person’s name
  • The first word in a sentence
  • Abbreviations and acronyms
  • Product names and brands

Conversely, do not capitalize:

  • Days of the week, months, and holidays
  • Common nouns, unless they are the first word in a sentence
  • Titles and honorifics, when used generically

You can now use Norwegian capitalization rules in your writing and communication. Continue to practice and improve your skills, as mastering these rules will lead to a better understanding and appreciation of the Norwegian language.

 

10. Frequently Asked Questions on Capitalization in Norwegian

 

1. Do I capitalize adjectives derived from proper nouns in Norwegian?

In Norwegian, adjectives derived from proper nouns are usually not capitalized, unlike in English:

  • norsk (Norwegian), amerikansk (American)

However, some exceptions exist, such as adjectives derived from historical periods or events:

  • Vietnamkrigen (the Vietnam War), Romerriket (the Roman Empire)

 

2. Are geographical terms capitalized in Norwegian?

Geographical terms are typically not capitalized in Norwegian, except when they form part of a proper noun:

  • fjell (mountain), dal (valley)
  • Jotunheimen (a mountain range in Norway)

 

3. Do I capitalize nationalities and languages in Norwegian?

Nationalities and languages are not capitalized in Norwegian:

  • norsk (Norwegian), engelsk (English), tysk (German)

 

4. Should I capitalize religious terms in Norwegian?

Names of religious figures and names are capitalized, while general religious terms are not:

  • Gud (God),  Buddha, Bibelen (the Bible)
  • en gud (a god), en engel (an angel), en bibel (a bible)

 

5. How do I capitalize titles of books, movies, and articles in Norwegian?

In Norwegian, titles of books, movies, and articles use sentence-style capitalization. Only the first word and proper nouns within the title are capitalized:

  • “Kongens nei” (The King’s No), “Sofies verden” (Sophie’s World)

 

 

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