Writer: Helena Bergström
For a Swede, Norwegian is probably the easiest foreign language to learn, and for the most part, Swedes and Norwegians can talk to each other without any major obstacles. But it still happens that you come across a word or two that you need to figure out a little bit…
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We understand Norwegian – or not?
Swedish and Norwegian are so similar that as a Swede you rarely have to think much about the language when traveling in Norway. Until you're standing in the grocery store and wondering what minced meat is, drive past a sign if stone spray or are asked if you want acknowledgement.
During our long motorhome trip through Norway, we collected a lot of Norwegian words – both those that are practical to know and those that simply sound a little extra charming to Swedish ears.
In the conversation
After a few weeks in Norway, we noticed that we ourselves started using several of the nice Norwegian words.
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Excuse me. | Excuse |
| Lovely | Wonderful/lovely |
| Classy | Nice/fancy |
| Cozy | Cozy/pleasant |
| Enjoy! | Have a nice/pleasant time! |
| Cozy | Nice |
| Moro | Fun/fun |
| Polite | Fun/fun |
| Delicious | Lovely/good |
| Giant- | Giant- |
| Good work ethic! | Keep working!/Have a nice working day! |
On the road
During a car trip through Norway, you see many signs along the road, and gradually your Norwegian vocabulary is built on …
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Roundabout | Roundabout |
| Detour | Redirection |
| Road work | Roadwork |
| Barrier/barrier station | Toll/toll station |
| Ferry/ferry | Ferry |
| Smooth | Content |
| One-way traffic | One-way |
| Speed limit | Speed limit |
| Stone spray | Stone shot |
Practical Norwegian words for the tourist
Our absolute favorite word in the Norwegian language is probably ”kortreist” which really describes what it means – the product has only traveled a short distance.
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Short trip | Locally produced |
| Sustainable | Sustainable |
| Tourist trail | Walking trail |
| Point of interest | Attraction |
| Offer | Offer/sale |
| Sale | Sales/Sale |
| Open | Open |
| Need | Need |
| Do | Toilet |
| Receipt | Receipt |
At the campsite
Are you camping in Norway or traveling by motorhome? Here are some words you may encounter during your trip.
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Motorhome | Motorhome |
| Campervan | Caravan |
| Motorhome parking | Motorhome parking space |
| Cabin | Cottage |
| Rent | Rent |
| Unloading station | Emptying station |
| Greywater | Greywater |
| Won | Water |
| Sink | Wash |
In the Norwegian grocery store – meat
During our trip to Norway, we were often in grocery stores, and there you come across many Norwegian words. Most words are very similar and easy to understand, but a few words stand out.
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Cattle | Cattle/beef |
| Meat dough | Minced meat |
| Carbonated dough | Lean ground beef |
| Chops | Pancakes |
| Sheep | Sheep |
| Chicken | Chicken |
| Sausage | Sausage |
In the Norwegian grocery store – fish
Some fish have almost the same names in Norwegian and Swedish, but others can be really tricky to understand.
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Trout | Trout |
| Char | char |
| Lyre | Whiten |
| Lysing | Hake |
| Hase | Kolya |
| Halibut | Halibut |
| Breiflab | Marulk |
| Steinbock | Catfish |
In the Norwegian grocery store – berries
Same thing with berries. Some berries have similar names to Swedish, but surprisingly many berries have completely different names.
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Raspberry | Raspberry |
| Cranberries | Lingonberry |
| Strawberries | Strawberries |
| Ground strawberries | Wild strawberry |
| Molts | Cloudberry |
| Blackcurrant | Blackcurrants |
| Rep | Red currants |
| Morels | Sweet cherries |
| Cherries | Cherries, often sour cherries |
In the Norwegian grocery store – more to discover…
There is even more to discover in Norwegian grocery stores, everything from products in other words to products that are unique to Norway.
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Round piece | Roll |
| Bremykt | Spreadable cooking fat (like Bregott) |
| Brown cheese | The classic Norwegian brown cheese |
| Prime | Spreadable cheese-like topping |
| Lefse | Norwegian soft thin bread/flatbread in different varieties |
| Sour cream | About sour cream/crème fraîche |
| Fish cakes | Fish cakes/fish steaks |
| Fish balls | Fishballs |
| Noise | Soft drink |
| Potato chips | Chips |
| Ice/ice cream | Glass |
Norwegian words that don't really mean what a Swede thinks
We end with some words that may feel familiar, but don't mean the same thing...
| NORWEGIAN | SWEDISH |
| Funny | Quiet |
| Quick | Fast |
| Rare | Strange/odd |
| By | City |
| Holiday | Semester |
| Glass | Glass |
| Feat | Business |
| Handsome | Nice/Nice/Good |
Which Norwegian word is your favorite?
Do you know any more Norwegian words that are different or perhaps easy to misunderstand? Please tell us in a comment!
You might also like:
Vinnufossen in Norway – Europe's highest waterfall
Geirangerfjord – dramatic views from Geiranger to Hellesylt
Old Strynefjellsvegen – Norway's historic mountain road
Hardangerfjord with motorhome – Eidfjord, Vøringsfossen and Hardangervidda
Preikestolen – our hike to Norway's most famous viewpoint
First Camp Bø in Telemark – family camping with many activities
English (UK) 
Svenska
Anja says:
Hi! You probably know that even if you choose to read a post in Swedish, the text comes up as a mixture of English and Swedish. Now it got even weirder when you want to illustrate Norwegian words…. (Note! Not meant as a rant…)
August 23, 2026 - 8:50
Anja says:
And even my comment was really weird!
August 23, 2026 - 8:52
Helena says:
Hi Anja! Many thanks for writing. I don't see anything strange in either the text or your comment. I see everything in Swedish (with Norwegian words in the tables). But I really appreciate you telling me! If you have the time and opportunity, please take a screenshot and send it to me and tell me what device you are using, which browser, which language settings, etc. Then I will try to research what is happening.
August 23, 2026 - 9:01
Znogge says:
I find it very easy to understand both Danish and Norwegian. Of course there are words you don't understand, but I think it's usually clear from the context.
I think Rusbrus, which roughly means alcoholic soft drink, is a bit funny 😀
August 23, 2026 - 9:43
Eval8 says:
On the whole, you understand well. If they just speak slowly. Your Norwegian words remind me of a story that old friends told me about 40 years ago.
They were on vacation in Denmark. There were signs everywhere saying Ensrettet, they thought. They decided to follow the signs and see where they landed. They thought maybe it was the hospital. Before long, they realized that it meant one-way 😂
August 23, 2026 - 10:18
Solan says:
Breiflabb = monkfish. My absolute favorite word from now on. My favorite fish, just a shame it's so outrageously expensive. 😉🐟 Everywhere.
August 25, 2026 - 8:25