Table of Contents
ToggleThe 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.