Key Question Words
2
(nor-geh)
When you arrive inNorge, the very first thing you will need to do is ask questions –– “Where
(vor)
Norway
(vor)
(vor)
where
where
(hvor) is the bus stop?” “Hvor can I exchange money?” “Hvor is the lavatory?” “Hvor is a
where
restaurant?” “Hvor do I catch a taxi?” “Hvor is a good hotel?” “Hvor is my luggage?” — and
the list will go on and on for the entire length of your visit. In Norwegian , there are EIGHT
KEY QUESTION WORDS to learn. For example, the eight key question words will help you find
out exactly what you are ordering in a restaurant before you order it — and not after the surprise
(oor)
(or shock!) arrives. Notice that all but one questionord begin with “hv.” Don’t confuse them!
word
Take a few minutes to study and practice saying the eight key question words listed below. Then
(norshk) (oor)
cover the Norwegian with your hand and fill in each of the blanks with the matching norsk ord.
Norwegian word
(vor)
HVOR
= WHERE
(vah)
HVA
hvor, hvor, hvor, hvor
= WHAT
(vem)
HVEM
= WHO
(vor-for)
HVORFOR
(nor)
NÅR
= WHY
= WHEN
(vor-dahn)
HVORDAN
(vor)
(mee-eh)
(vor)
(mahng-eh)
HVOR MYE
= HOW
= HOW MUCH
HVOR MANGE= HOW MANY
5
© 2014 Bilingual Books, Inc.
(oor-en-eh)
Now test yourself to see if you really can keep these ordene straight in your mind. Draw lines
words
(norshk-eh)(oh)
between the norske og English equivalents below.
Norwegian
and
(vor)
(mahng-eh)
hvor mange
why
(vem)
hvem
what
(vah)
who
hva
how
hvor
(vor)
(mee-eh)
hvor mye
where
(vor-dahn)
hvordan
how many
(vor-for)
hvorfor
when
(nor)
når
how much
(aw)
Examine the following questions containing these ordene. Practice the sentences out loudog
words
and
then practice by copying the Norwegian in the blanks underneath each question.
(vah)
(ar) (gahlt)
(vor-dahn)
(ar) (sah-lah-ten)
what is
how is
Hva er galt?
Hvordan er salaten?
wrong
salad the
(vem)
(ar) (deh)
(nor)
(kohm-air)
(tohg-eh)
who is
when comes
train the
Hvem er det?
Når kommer toget?
it
Hvem er det?
(vor)
(mee-eh) (ar) (deh)
(vor)
(ar) (tay-leh-fohn-en)
is
where
is Hvor mye er det?
how much
it
Hvor er telefonen?
telephone the
(vor)
“Hvor” will be your most used question ord. Say each of the following Norwegian sentences
aloud. Then write out each sentence without looking at the example. If you don’t succeed on the
first try, don’t give up. Just practice each sentence until you are able to do it easily. Remember
6
the “h” in “hv” is silent.
© 2014 Bilingual Books, Inc.
(vor)
(ar) (toh-ah-let-eh)
Hvor er toalettet?
where
is
toilet the
(vor)
(ar)
Hvor er
where is
{
(en) (droh-sheh)
en drosje?
a
(ar)
(boos)
is
bus
Hvor er en buss?
where (tahx-ee)
a
en taxi?
TAXI
DAMER
HERRER
Hvor er en buss?
(ar)
(res-tuh-rahng)
Hvor er en restaurant?
(vor)
(ar)
(vor)
(bahnk)
a
a
bank
(yah)
(eng-elsk)
(norshk)
yes
English
Norwegian
(et) (hoh-tel)
Hvor er et hotell?
Hvor er en bank?
hotel
Ja, you can see similarities between engelsk andnorsk if you look closely. You will be amazed at
the number of ord which are identical (or almost identical) in both languages. Of course, they do
words
not always sound the same when spoken by a Norwegian speaker, but the similarities will
(oh)
certainly surprise youog make your work here easier. Listed below are five “free” ord beginning
(ah)
and
(oh)
(norshk-eh)
with “ a ” to help you get started. Be sure to say each ord aloud og then write out thenorske
ord in the blank to the right.
✔
❒
❒
❒
❒
❒
absolutt (ahp-soh-loot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . en adresse (ah-dres-eh). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . et aerogram (air-oh-grahm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . akkurat (ah-kooh-raht). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alkohol (ahl-koh-hohl). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . absolutely
address
aerogram
accurate, exactly
alcohol
a
absolutt, absolutt, absolutt
Free ord like these will appear on the following pages in a yellow color band. They are easy ––
enjoy them! Remember, norsk has three extra letters – æ, ø and å which come at the end of the
alphabet.
7
© 2014 Bilingual Books, Inc.