Verbs in the Present Tense in Norwegian

The suffix -r in the present tense

Most Norwegian verbs have the suffix -r in the present tense. The -r is added to the infinitive form, and the present tense always has the same form:

 

å drikke (infinitive) 

to drink

drikker (present)

drink/drinks

Han drikker te.

He is drinking tea.

 

å se (infinitive)

to watch, see

ser (present)

watch/watches 

De ser på TV.

They are watching TV.

 

å sove (infinitive)

to sleep

sover (present)

sleep/sleeps

Hun sover.

She is sleeping.

 

 

Modal verbs do not add the -r suffix in the present tense

 

å kunne (infinitive)

to be able to

kan (present)

can

Han kan snakke norsk.

He can speak Norwegian.

 

å ville (infinitive)

to want to

vil (present)

want/wants to

Han vil spise pizza.

He wants to eat pizza.

 

Irregular verbs

Other exceptions where -r is not added include irregular verbs such as:

 

å vite (infinitive)

to know

vet (present)

know/knows

Vet du hva han heter?

Do you know what his name is?

 

å gjøre (infinitive)

to do

gjør (present)

do/does

Hva gjør de?

What are they doing?

 

Showing where or how people are doing the activity. 

Norwegian has no present continuous form. However, verbs like å stå (to stand), å sitte (to sit), å gå (to walk), å ligge (lie) + the present tense are used to express an ongoing action. When you put another verb in front of the main verb, it shows where or how the people are doing the activity. 

 

For example:

 

Han sitter og ser på TV.

He is sitting and watching TV.

 

Vi står og venter på bussen.

We are standing and waiting for the bus.

 

Another way to express the same is to say “holde på” (busy doing).

 

Vi holder på å trene.

We are busy exercising.

 

Han holder på med å gjøre lekser.

He is busy doing homework.

 

 

Using Present Tense to express the future

The present tense is often applied to express a future action. The verbs usually describe a change or motion: 

 

Når flyr du? 

When are you flying?

 

De kommer i morgen.

They are coming tomorrow.

 

 

Expressing Habitual Present 

The habitual present is expressed by emphasizing regular repetition over time. For example:

 

Han starter jobben klokka åtte.

He starts (usually) work at eight o’clock.

 

Han spiser middag klokka fem.

He eats (usually) dinner at five o’clock.

 

 

 

 

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Last updated Dec 10th, 2024

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