B1Norwegian

Greetings & Introductions

These phrases will help you confidently introduce yourself and make natural small talk when meeting Norwegians for the first time.

Key Phrases

Voice
Greeting · 2 ways to say it

Heisann! Går alt bra med deg i dag?

casual

Hey there! Is everything good with you today?

Friendly and common to use with people you already know slightly.

Hei! Hvordan står det til med deg?

neutral

Hi! How are things with you?

A standard, slightly more structured way to ask how someone is doing.

Introducing oneself · 2 ways to say it

Vi har vel ikke møttes før, jeg er [Navn].

casual

I guess we haven't met before, I'm [Name].

The particle 'vel' softens the statement, making it a natural conversation starter.

Jeg tror ikke vi har hilst på hverandre, jeg heter [Navn].

neutral

I don't think we have greeted each other, my name is [Name].

Introducing someone else

Jeg vil gjerne at du skal hilse på vennen min, [Navn].

neutral

I would like you to greet my friend, [Name].

Uses a subordinate clause to express a polite wish.

Asking someone's name · 2 ways to say it

Unnskyld, men hva var det du het igjen?

casual

Sorry, but what was your name again?

Very common if you have forgotten the name of someone you just met.

Unnskyld, kan jeg få spørre hva navnet ditt er?

polite

Excuse me, may I ask what your name is?

The indirect question structure makes this phrasing highly polite.

Saying nice to meet you · 2 ways to say it

Så koselig å endelig treffe deg!

casual

So nice to finally meet you!

Det var veldig hyggelig å få hilse på deg.

neutral

It was very nice to get to greet you.

Asking origin

Hvor i landet er det du opprinnelig kommer fra?

neutral

Where in the country do you originally come from?

Adding 'i landet' (in the country) is a very natural phrasing in Norwegian.

Asking occupation · 2 ways to say it

Hva er det du egentlig driver med til vanlig?

casual

What is it you actually do normally?

The standard Norwegian way to ask about someone's job or studies.

Hvilken bransje er det du jobber i?

neutral

Which industry is it that you work in?

Asking about connections

Hvor er det egentlig du kjenner verten fra?

neutral

Where is it actually you know the host from?

A classic small-talk question at parties or gatherings.

Excusing oneself · 2 ways to say it

Det var hyggelig å snakke med deg, men jeg må nesten stikke nå.

casual

It was nice talking to you, but I really have to run now.

'Stikke' is common slang for leaving, and 'nesten' softens the abruptness.

Det var hyggelig å prate med deg, men jeg må dessverre gå videre.

neutral

It was nice chatting with you, but unfortunately I have to move along.

Practice Dialogue

Party Guest
Hei! Jeg tror ikke vi har hilst på hverandre før. Jeg heter Jonas.
Host's Colleague
Heisann! Nei, det har vi nok ikke. Jeg er Kaja. Så hyggelig å møte deg.
Party Guest
I like måte. Hvor er det du kjenner verten fra, da?
Host's Colleague
Vi jobber faktisk i samme avdeling. Enn du? Er dere gamle venner eller noe?
Party Guest
Ja, vi har kjent hverandre siden vi studerte sammen i Trondheim. Så du jobber i IT-bransjen, du også?
Host's Colleague
Stemmer det! Men akkurat nå prøver jeg å ikke tenke så mye på jobb.
Party Guest
Skjønner jeg godt. Du, jeg må nesten gå og finne meg noe å drikke, men vi snakkes sikkert mer etterpå!
Host's Colleague
Den er grei. Gå og fyll opp glasset, så sees vi!

More Greetings & Socializing (B1)

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