In Norway, Christmas is celebrated on December 24, Christmas Eve. This time we will discuss how the Christmas traditions are celebrated in Norway and how to use the Norwegian language when discussing Christmas.
Traditions such as putting up “juletre” (Christmas tree) and giving “julegaver” (gifts) are prevalent in Norway. Most Norwegians celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve.
The entire family gathers early in the evening to eat Christmas dinner together. Among popular traditional Christmas dishes are “ribbe” (pork ribs), “pinnekjøtt” (a traditional Norwegian main course dinner dish based on lamb ribs), and “lutefisk” (lye fish).
People gather in their living rooms late at night to sing Christmas carols while standing in a circle around the Christmas tree. They’ll usually unwrap the gifts under the Christmas tree, and the youngest person will often have to read the names on the gifts and distribute them.
“Julenissen” (Santa Claus) will visit homes with young children in the evening with a bag full of gifts.
Here are common expressions and vocabulary in Norwegian that you can use when celebrating Christmas and the New Year in Norway.
1 God Jul!
Merry Christmas!
Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Norwegian? In Norway, we say “God Jul”! “God” means “Have a nice…” for eksempel “God Helg!” “Have a nice weekend!”
2 Godt nytt år!
Happy New Year!
It is common in Norway to send “julekort” (Christmas cards) with a greeting like, for example, “God Jul og Godt Nytt År” (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)!
3 God ferie!
Happy holidays!
4 De beste ønsker for det nye året!
Best wishes for the New Year!
5 juletre
Christmas tree
6 juletrelys
Christmas light
7 å pynte
to decorate
8 å pynte juletreet
to decorate the Christmas tree
9 julekrans
Christmas wreath
The Christmas wreath is a ring-shaped arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems. Many families like hanging a Christmas wreath outside their houses’ front doors or on the graves together with light.
10 julenisse
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is usually depicted as a rotund man in a red costume with a pointy hat and a long, snow-white beard!
11 julegave
Christmas gift
Gift-giving is essential to Christmas Eve and a source of joy for children during this festive season!
12 kirkeklokker
church bells
Many Norwegians enjoy church on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve for a particular sermon and a Christmas atmosphere. The beginning of the sermon is frequently announced with “kirkeklokker” Church bells if the church. As a result, ringing bells are commonly associated with the start of Christmas.
Many people have a tradition of going to church on Christmas Eve. After church, they often go to the graveyard and light candles to honor ancestors and deceased family members.
13 juledag
Christmas day
These are the official days commemorating Christ’s birth, which starts on December 25 each year.
14 pepperkaker
gingerbread cookies
15 julekaker
Christmas cookies
Christmas cookies are essential for many Norwegians. Some Norwegians believe one is not ready for Christmas until seven types of cookies are made!
Are you looking for more resources for Norwegian language training? Sign up for a Norwegian course here. We teach Norwegian in a classroom, or you can learn Norwegian online. You will find language courses for every level in our Norwegian language courses.
