Learn Norwegian | Norwegian Vocabulary | Kjæledyr | Pets | A1-A2

Learning the Norwegian language can be a fruitful and enriching endeavor, and a fun way to dive into it is by exploring the vocabulary related to pets or kjæledyr. In this article, we will be taking a closer look at the A1-A2 level vocabulary, which involves learning about different pets, a range of descriptive adjectives, verbs associated with pet care, and popular phrases to use in conversation.

Basic Vocabulary: Pets (Kjæledyr)

Let’s start by learning the names of various pets, along with their indefinite articles, which hint at the gender of each noun:

• a dog – en hund
• a cat – en katt
• a bird – en fugl
• a fish – en fisk
• a hamster – en hamster
• a rabbit – en kanin
• a guinea pig – et marsvin
• a turtle – ei skilpadde

Adjectives (Adjektiver)

Descriptive words are essential in painting a vivid picture of your pet. Here are some common adjectives accompanied by indefinite articles based on their gender:

• A small one – En liten
• A big one – En stor
• A friendly one – En vennlig
• A playful one – En leken

Relevant Verbs (Relevante Verb)

As you care for your kjæledyr, you will find these verbs handy:

• To feed – Å mate
• To walk (a dog) – Å gå tur med (en hund)
• To groom – Å stelle
• To play – Å leke
• To cuddle – Å kose

Popular Phrases (Populære Fraser)

Building phrases can help in creating a natural conversation about pets. Try using these popular phrases:

1. Do you have a pet? – Har du et kjæledyr?
2. What kind of pet do you have? – Hva slags kjæledyr har du?
3. My pet is very playful. – Kjæledyret mitt er veldig lekent.
4. I love to walk my dog in the park. – Jeg elsker å gå tur med hunden min i parken.

By focusing on the topic of pets or kjæledyr, you have enriched your Norwegian vocabulary and taken a meaningful step toward becoming proficient in the language at an A1-A2 level. Practice is key, so try to use your new vocabulary as much as possible in your daily conversations.

FAQ

1. How do I know which indefinite article to use with Norwegian nouns?

In Norwegian, nouns are categorized into three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. The indefinite articles for these are “en,” “ei,” and “et” respectively. However, feminine nouns can also use the masculine article “en.” For instance:

• En hund (a dog) – Masculine
• En/Ei katt (a cat) – Feminine (though it’s common to use “en” here)
• Et marsvin (a guinea pig) – Neuter

2. Can all adjectives be used with any gender?

Yes, adjectives adapt to the gender and the number (singular/plural) of the noun they describe. However, in the basic level (A1-A2), you’ll primarily encounter the singular form of adjectives, which we have presented in this guide.

3. Are the verbs presented here specific to pets?

The verbs presented in the guide, such as “å mate” (to feed) and “å leke” (to play), are general verbs and can be used in a wide variety of contexts outside of discussing pets.

4. Can I create sentences using the vocabulary presented in the guide?

Absolutely! The guide is designed to equip you with the basic vocabulary needed to create simple sentences about pets. For instance, using the word for “a small one” (en liten), you can say “Jeg har en liten hund” which translates to “I have a small dog” in English.

5. Are there other similar words for “kjæledyr” in Norwegian?

While “kjæledyr” is the most common term for “pets,” you might sometimes hear people using the word “husdyr” to refer to domestic animals. However, “husdyr” more often refers to larger farm animals and not necessarily pets.

6. How do I build sentences using adjectives with different gender nouns?

When using adjectives with different gender nouns, ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in terms of gender and number. For example:

• En liten hund. (a small dog) – Masculine
• Ei lita mus. (a small mouse) – Feminine
• Et lite marsvin. (a small guinea pig) – Neuter

Notice that “listen” (masculine) changes to “lita” for feminine nouns and “lite” for neuter nouns.

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