Understanding Reflexive Pronouns in Norwegian: A Guide

Norwegian, like many languages, possesses a set of pronouns that are essential for constructing meaningful sentences, especially when indicating that the subject of the sentence is also the object of the action. These pronouns are known as reflexive pronouns. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of reflexive pronouns in the Norwegian language, covering their usage, forms, and some nuances that distinguish them from their English counterparts.

What are Reflexive Pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns in Norwegian are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same entity. Essentially, they “reflect” the action back onto the subject. In Norwegian, these pronouns help convey actions or emotions that the subject performs or experiences themselves.

The Forms of Reflexive Pronouns in Norwegian

Norwegian has two written standards: Bokmål and Nynorsk. However, the reflexive pronouns do not vary significantly between these two forms, making them relatively straightforward to learn. The primary reflexive pronoun in Norwegian is “seg” for third person singular and plural, which corresponds to “himself,” “herself,” “itself,” and “themselves” in English. Unlike English, Norwegian does not differentiate gender in the third person reflexive pronoun, making “seg” a versatile and widely used pronoun.

Here is a quick overview of reflexive pronouns in Norwegian:

• First Person Singular: “meg” (myself) in Bokmål and “meg” or “meg sjølv” in Nynorsk.
• Second Person Singular: “deg” (yourself) in Bokmål and “deg” or “deg sjølv” in Nynorsk.
• Third Person Singular: “seg” (himself/herself/itself) in both Bokmål and Nynorsk.
• First Person Plural: “oss” (ourselves) in Bokmål and “oss” or “oss sjølve” in Nynorsk.
• Second Person Plural: “dere” (yourselves) in Bokmål and “dykk” or “dykk sjølve” in Nynorsk.
• Third Person Plural: “seg” (themselves) in both Bokmål and Nynorsk.

Using Reflexive Pronouns in Sentences

Reflexive pronouns are used with reflexive verbs, which require a reflexive pronoun to complete their meaning. In Norwegian, this includes verbs like “å vaske seg” (to wash oneself) or “å kjenne seg” (to feel oneself).

Examples:

• Han vasker seg. (He washes himself.)
• Hun føler seg glad. (She feels happy.)

It’s important to note that the placement of reflexive pronouns in a sentence typically follows the verb.

Reflexive Pronouns with Prepositions

In instances where prepositions are used before reflexive pronouns, Norwegian typically employs the standard reflexive pronoun forms. However, when emphasizing the reflexive action, especially in a formal context or for stylistic reasons, extended forms like “seg selv” (himself/herself/itself/themselves) are used.

Example:

• Han tenker på seg selv. (He thinks about himself.)

Nuances and Additional Points

• Reflexive Possessives: Norwegian also has reflexive possessive pronouns, which are used to indicate possession in a way that reflects back to the subject. For example, “sitt” (his/her/its own) and “sine” (their own) are used for third person singular and plural, respectively.
• Reflexivity and Emphasis: The use of “seg selv” can add emphasis, similar to the use of “himself,” “herself,” etc., in English. This can sometimes alter the tone or focus of a sentence.

Conclusion

Reflexive pronouns are a fundamental aspect of the Norwegian language, facilitating clear and concise communication, especially in contexts where subjects perform actions upon themselves. By understanding and correctly using these pronouns, learners can significantly improve their proficiency and fluency in Norwegian. Like any language, practice and exposure are key to mastering its nuances, and reflexive pronouns in Norwegian are no exception.