Understanding Belonging and Connection in Norwegian: A Comprehensive Guide to Prepositions B1-C1

Prepositions in Norwegian can be a challenge for learners because their usage often differs from English or other languages. In this article, we’ll delve into prepositions that express belonging and connection in Norwegian. These prepositions—such as til, av, på, med, and uten—are vital for conveying ownership, attachment, and relationships. Through clear explanations and varied examples, this guide will equip learners with the tools they need to use these prepositions accurately.

If you’re interested in improving your Norwegian skills and understanding prepositions better, consider joining our Norwegian group classes at the NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo. These classes are tailored for learners of all levels and provide an excellent environment to practice grammar and conversation.

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1. The Preposition “Til”

The preposition “til” is one of the most common in Norwegian for expressing possession, relationships, and connections. It often translates to “to” or “of” in English, but its usage is broader and more nuanced in Norwegian.

1.1 Expressing Possession

“Til” is used to show that something belongs to someone or is associated with them. In this sense, it replaces the English possessive “‘s” or “of.”

Examples:

• Kan jeg låne boken til Anna?
  (Can I borrow Anna’s book?)
• Er dette nøkkelen til huset?
  (Is this the key to the house?)
• Vi besøkte besteforeldrene til Lars i helgen.
  (We visited Lars’ grandparents this weekend.)

In these examples, til connects the item (e.g., book, key, grandparents) to the person who owns or is associated with it.

1.2 Grammatical Note: Definite Form

When using til for possession, the noun associated with til is usually in its definite form. For example:

• Sykkelen til Peter (Peter’s bike)
• Hunden til naboen (The neighbor’s dog)

However, if the sentence involves genitive construction (like in English “Peter’s bike”), the noun linked to possession can be in indefinite form:

• Peters sykkel (Peter’s bike)
  This structure is less common but still correct.

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2. The Preposition “Av”

The preposition “av” is another way to express connection or possession, but it is often used to indicate a part of a whole or ownership in a broader sense.

Examples:

• Hun er en venn av meg.
  (She is a friend of mine.)
• Maleriet er et verk av en kjent kunstner.
  (The painting is a work of a famous artist.)
• Du må snakke med eieren av bilen.
  (You need to talk to the owner of the car.)

In these examples, av emphasizes a more indirect or formal connection than til. It is often seen in contexts such as literature, formal speech, or when describing components of something.

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3. The Preposition “På”

The preposition “på” is frequently used in Norwegian to describe characteristics or qualities connected to an object. It can also describe relationships between parts of something.

3.1 Describing Qualities

When talking about specific attributes of something, på is commonly used.

Examples:

• Jeg liker fargen på veggen.
  (I like the color of the wall.)
• Hva er smaken på sausen?
  (What is the flavor of the sauce?)
• Nummeret på bussen er 54.
  (The bus number is 54.)

In these cases, på describes an intrinsic characteristic or feature of the object (e.g., color, flavor, number).

3.2 Describing Relationships

På can also describe broader relationships between connected entities:

• Prisen på bilen har økt.
  (The price of the car has increased.)
• Størrelsen på skjorten er medium.
  (The size of the shirt is medium.)

Here, på links one item to its measurable or descriptive property (e.g., price, size).

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4. The Prepositions “Med” and “Uten”

The prepositions “med” (with) and “uten” (without) are straightforward but critical for expressing the presence or absence of something.

4.1 Using “Med”

Med describes inclusion or possession of an attribute or characteristic.

Examples:

• Hun har en bil med fire dører.
  (She has a car with four doors.)
• Vi trenger en leilighet med balkong.
  (We need an apartment with a balcony.)
• Vil du ha te med melk?
  (Do you want tea with milk?)

4.2 Using “Uten”

Uten, on the other hand, describes exclusion or lack of something.

Examples:

• Huset er uten heis.
  (The building has no elevator.)
• Han drikker kaffe uten sukker.
  (He drinks coffee without sugar.)
• Vi kan ikke klare oss uten hjelp.
  (We cannot manage without help.)

Med and uten often work together in comparisons or options:

• Vil du ha vann med eller uten kullsyre?
  (Do you want water with or without carbonation?)

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5. Connection to Places

When describing connection to a place, Norwegian uses prepositions such as i (in), på (on/at), and til (to). The choice of preposition depends on the context and type of connection.

5.1 Using “På” for Specific Locations

For institutions, outdoor areas, and activities, på is frequently used.

Examples:

• Lærerne på skolen hadde møte.
  (The teachers at the school had a meeting.)
• Vi møttes på torget.
  (We met at the square.)
• Barna lekte på lekeplassen.
  (The children played at the playground.)

5.2 Using “I” for Countries and Cities

When referring to cities or countries, i is commonly used.

Examples:

• Hovedstaden i Norge er Oslo.
  (The capital of Norway is Oslo.)
• Hun bor i København.
  (She lives in Copenhagen.)
• Jeg studerte i Italia for tre år siden.
  (I studied in Italy three years ago.)

5.3 Using “Til” for Movement Toward a Place

Til is used when describing movement toward a destination.

Examples:

• Vi skal reise til Sverige i helgen.
  (We are traveling to Sweden this weekend.)
• Hun dro til Oslo for å jobbe.
  (She went to Oslo to work.)
• Kan du komme til kontoret klokka ti?
  (Can you come to the office at ten?)

If you’re struggling with prepositions or other aspects of Norwegian grammar, check out our Norwegian group classes at the NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo. These classes provide the perfect setting to learn and practice with guidance from expert instructors.

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6. Summary of Prepositions

Let’s summarize the main uses of these prepositions:

Preposition	Primary Function	Example
Til	Possession or connection	Boken til læreren (The teacher’s book)
Av	Part of a whole or formal relation	En venn av meg (A friend of mine)
På	Characteristics or properties	Fargen på bilen (The color of the car)
Med	Inclusion	En kopp med sukker (A cup with sugar)
Uten	Exclusion	Et hus uten hage (A house without a garden)
I	Inside a place	Bor i Oslo (Lives in Oslo)
På	At a specific location	Jobber på sykehuset (Works at the hospital)
Til	Movement toward a place	Går til stasjonen (Walks to the station)

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7. Practical Tips for Learners

1. Learn Prepositions in Context: Prepositions often don’t translate directly between languages. Focus on memorizing phrases rather than single words.
   • Example: smaken på maten (the taste of the food).
2. Use Definite Forms Where Necessary: When indicating possession with til, remember to use the definite form of the noun.
   • Example: sykkelen til Per (Per’s bike).
3. Practice Variability: Try using different prepositions in example sentences to solidify their meanings and nuances.
4. Read and Listen: Exposure to native Norwegian materials—books, articles, and audio—will help reinforce how these prepositions are naturally used.

By understanding the prepositions til, av, på, med, and uten and their specific applications, learners can greatly enhance their fluency and confidence in Norwegian. Mastering these prepositions is essential for conveying relationships, connections, and qualities, making your speech sound more natural and accurate. With practice and exposure, using these prepositions will become second nature.