How to Talk About Clothes in Norwegian

Norwegian, like many languages, has its own unique vocabulary and phrases when it comes to discussing clothing. Whether you’re planning a shopping spree in Oslo or just want to converse with Norwegian friends about everyday attire, this guide will help you master the basics of talking about clothes in Norwegian.

 

Basic Vocabulary

klær – clothes
ei skjorte – a shirt
en genser – a sweater
ei bukse – pants/trousers
en kjole – a dress
et skjørt – a skirt
en jakke – a jacket
en frakk – a coat
en hatt – a hat
et skjerf – a scarf
en sokk – a sock
en sko – a shoe
et belte – a belt
et undertøy – a underwear
et badetøy – a swimwear

 

Describing Clothes

In Norwegian, adjectives usually come before the noun, similar to English. Here are a few adjectives and phrases to help you describe clothing:

Ny – New: “Jeg har en ny kjole.” (I have a new dress.)
Gammel – Old: “Denne skjorten er gammel.” (This shirt is old.)
Liten – Small: “Jeg trenger en liten størrelse.” (I need a small size.)
Stor – Big/Large: “Denne jakken er for stor for meg.” (This jacket is too big for me.)
Fargerik – Colorful: “Jeg liker fargerike gensere.” (I like colorful sweaters.)

 

Shopping Phrases

When you’re shopping for clothes in Norway, these phrases might come in handy:

Hvor mye koster denne? – How much does this cost?
Har du denne i en annen farge? – Do you have this in another color?
Kan jeg prøve denne? – Can I try this on?
Hvor er prøverommet? – Where is the fitting room?
Jeg ser etter en… – I’m looking for a…

 

Colors

When discussing or choosing clothing, knowing some basic colors can be helpful:

Rød – Red
Blå – Blue
Gul – Yellow
Grønn – Green
Svart – Black
Hvit – White
Lilla – Purple
Rosa – Pink
Brun – Brown
Oransje – Orange

 

In Conclusion

Talking about clothes in Norwegian can be a fun way to expand your vocabulary and immerse yourself in the culture. By mastering the basic terms and phrases listed above, you’ll be well-prepared for any sartorial conversation that comes your way. Whether you’re complimenting a friend’s new outfit or navigating a Norwegian clothing store, you’ll do it easily and confidently.

 

 

FAQ: Talking About Clothes in Norwegian

Q1: How do I ask for my size in Norwegian?
A: You can ask, “Har du denne i min størrelse?” which means “Do you have this in my size?”

 

Q2: How do I say that something fits or doesn’t fit?
A: “Den passer” means “It fits.” If something doesn’t fit, you can say, “Den passer ikke.”

 

Q3: What’s the Norwegian word for ‘fashion’?
A: The word for fashion is “mote.”

 

Q4: How do I ask for recommendations in a clothing store?
A: You can ask, “Hva vil du anbefale?” which means “What would you recommend?”

 

Q5: How do I express my dislike of a particular piece of clothing?
A: “Jeg liker denne” means “I like this.” If you don’t like it, you can say “Jeg liker ikke denne.”

 

Q6: What’s the difference between ‘klær’ and ‘tøy’?
A: Both ‘klær’ and ‘tøy’ can refer to clothing in general. However, ‘tøy’ is often used in compound words, like “undertøy” (underwear) or “badetøy” (swimwear).

 

Q7: How can I ask if a store has sales or discounts?
A: “Har dere noe salg eller rabatt?” which translates to “Do you have any sales or discounts?”

 

Q8: How do Norwegians typically talk about fashion trends?
A: You might hear phrases like “Dette er på mote nå” (This is in fashion now) or “Dette er utdatert” (This is outdated).

 

Q9: How do I ask for a bigger or smaller size?
A: “Har du en større størrelse?” means “Do you have a bigger size?” and “Har du en mindre størrelse?” means “Do you have a smaller size?”

 

Q10: What if I want to get something tailored or adjusted?
A: “Kan denne justeres?” translates to “Can this be adjusted?” If you’re looking for a tailor specifically, you can ask, “Hvor kan jeg finne en skredder?” which means “Where can I find a tailor?”

 

 

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