A2Norwegian

Thanking & Apologizing

Here are the most natural ways to express thanks, apologize, and politely get past people in everyday Norwegian life.

Key Phrases

Voice
Expressing thanks · 2 ways to say it

Takk.

casual

Thanks.

Use for small, quick interactions like receiving a coffee.

Tusen takk.

neutral

Thank you very much.

The standard and most common way to thank someone.

Responding to thanks · 2 ways to say it

Null problem.

casual

No problem.

Very informal, mostly used in casual speech.

Bare hyggelig.

neutral

You're welcome.

Literally means 'only nice', the standard polite response.

Apologizing · 3 ways to say it

Oi, unnskyld!

casual

Oops, sorry!

Use for small accidents, like bumping into someone.

Beklager.

neutral

I am sorry.

The standard apology for mistakes.

Beklager så mye.

polite

I am very sorry.

Use for larger mistakes or to be extra polite in service encounters.

Excuse me · 3 ways to say it

Unnskyld.

casual

Excuse me.

Said quickly to get past someone in a crowded place.

Unnskyld, kan jeg komme forbi?

neutral

Excuse me, can I pass?

Clear and direct when you need people to move.

Unnskyld meg.

polite

Excuse me.

Use to politely interrupt or address staff.

Practice Dialogue

Passenger
Unnskyld, kan jeg komme forbi? Jeg skal gå av.
Commuter
Ja, selvfølgelig. Jeg kan flytte meg litt.
Passenger
Tusen takk.
Commuter
Bare hyggelig.
Passenger
Oi, unnskyld! Jeg tråkket på foten din.
Commuter
Det går bra. Bussen er veldig full i dag.
Passenger
Beklager. Ha en god dag!
Commuter
Takk, i like måte.

More Greetings & Socializing (A2)

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