Is Norwegian Hard To Learn?
Norwegian might seem like a challenging language to learn. But as we’ll find out, it is actually one of the easiest languages you can choose to learn, especially for English speakers. However, some difficulties still lay ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Norwegian is easy to learn
- Hardest parts include pronunciation, word order, and vocabulary
- If you speak a Germanic language, you’ll have an easier time learning Norwegian
- Learning Norwegian can help with work, personal life, and travel
- Use all tools available to learn Norwegian
Is Norwegian Hard To Learn?
How easy a language is to learn depends on what language/s you already know.But, if you’re reading this, chances are you speak English. In that case, congratulations! Norwegian is one of the easiest languages you can learn! However, there are still some tricky parts you’ll need to get the hang of before you become truly fluent.
Some factors that can make Norwegian difficult are things like pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.
When it comes to pronunciation, the differences in the vowel sounds and rolling Rs can present a challenge. Norwegian has three extra letters, Æ, Ø & Å. The specific vowel sounds produced by these do not exist in English. There are close approximations, you can lean on though. Additionally, the rolling R is used frequently in Norwegian, and has proved difficult for some who do not have this sound in their native tongue.
When it comes to grammar, Norwegian is not too far removed from English. The syntax, or structure of a sentence is more or less similar to English, but with some key differences. These differences will not be intuitive to new learners, and will need to be studied.
Norwegian is a Germanic language, and as such share plenty of cognates, or words with similar origins, with other Germanic languages. You’ll learn that many of the words in the Norwegian vocabulary look and sound the same as plenty of words you already know. But many words will also be different.
Learning a new vocabulary is time consuming and requires practice and repetition. However, if you already speak a Germanic language (which you do; English), you’ll have an easier time. Here are some of the other Germanic languages.
- Danish
- Swedish
- German
- Dutch
You’ll also find that Norwegian has a lot of loanwords from other languages. Most of these come from English, but we also have plenty from the Latin languages, especially French.
Personal Opinions On Norwegian’s Difficulty To Learn
We’re in the Norwegian teaching business here at Norwegian Community, and have plenty of experience with some of the most common difficulties experienced by our students. These relate to all parts of the language, depending on where they are from.
Most will say they notice a huge improvement in the first few weeks of months of learning. This is the part of language learning where you come to grasp the most basic grammar rules, you’ll learn important vocabulary, and learn to have simple conversations.
It becomes more difficult the further along you get. One aspect that most learners seem to struggle with is prepositions. There are not always set rules for which prepositions should be used in which situations, and as such it’ll be a guessing game in the beginning. Many use direct translations from their native language, but this will not always work in Norwegian. It just takes time and practice to learn which ones to use.
Many also feel the pronunciation is tricky to get a handle on. Many letters are silent in Norwegian words, and again, there is not always a rule to explain why. One student from Brazil, for example, had a real hard time remembering the different pronunciations of the word De (pronounced as Dee) and Det (pronounced as Deh). He also struggled with various vowel sounds that sounded different in portuguese.
Nevertheless, given enough time, repetition and practice, these issues iron themselves out. Our students express their wonder at how quickly they learn through our language classes. You can read some of their feedback here.
What Is The Hardest Part About Learning Norwegian?
Though it’s touted as being one of the easiest languages to learn, only requiring around 600 hours to master, there are still some areas that can prove challenging to learners. We’re talking about things like word order, pronunciation, aspects of the grammar and the vocabulary.
Norwegian is a V2 language or S-V-O language like English. This means the verb is, in most cases, in the second spot of a sentence, and that the usual structure of a sentence is subject→verb→object. However, this changes more than you would expect. The verb jumps around the object and subject of a sentence based on a variety of factors, and this can prove challenging for anyone trying to get an understanding of Norwegian grammar rules. Just look at these examples. The verb is in bold.
- Jeg spiser fisk (I eat fish)
- I går kveld spiste jeg fisk (Last night I ate fish)
- Jeg drikker ikke melk (I don’t drink milk)
- Han sier at han ikke drikker melk (He says that he doesn’t drink milk)
It can also be extra challenging to pronounce some Norwegian words correctly. Plenty of words are spelled differently than they are pronounced, with silent letters and a strange concoction of consonants making unexpected sounds. Add to this the unique vowel sounds that exist only in Norwegian, and you might find an unexpected challenge here. Check out these examples.
- Det (that) – Pronounced deh
- Fjellet (the mountain) – Pronounced fie –leh
- Kjøkken (kitchen) – Pronounced chuh -ken
Lastly, though, there are a lot of cognates shared with English. Most of the words will be unfamiliar. So learning the vocabulary will take time and repetition to get down. There are no cheat codes here, you’ll just have to put in your hours.
Reach fluent Norwegian in only 4 months
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Did you know that you don’t need all the Norwegian grammar to speak Norwegian? Just a small part of it. In our classes we use just the necessary grammar. Find out what level you are, and what classes you can take to speak fluently.
Reasons Why Norwegian Is Easy To Learn
Though it might be daunting to try to learn a new language, Norwegian is still very easy to learn. You have an advantage in speaking English, and though there are some challenges, these are relatively easy to overcome compared to other languages.
Plenty of words sound the same as in English. Chances are if you think a word sounds the same as an English one, it probably means the same too. And the same applies to grammar. There will be differences that make you scratch your head, but for the most part, English sentence structure will translate well to Norwegian.
You also have an advantage in the vast number of resources to be found online. We’re talking about podcasts, books, articles, games, etc. But learning Norwegian means nothing if you can’t use it in conversation. That’s why our conversation classes are the fastest ways for you to become comfortable in using your Norwegian in real life scenarios. Practicing Norwegian with other people is a sure fire way to learn how to pronounce words correctly, and structure your sentences the right way. On top of this, our native teachers will help you with any mistakes you make.
How Difficult is Norwegian To Learn Compared To Other Languages?
By now you know that Norwegian is a Germanic language. So how does it stack up to the other languages under the same penumbra in terms of ease? Well, you’ll be happy to know that it’s still easier than most.
Let’s take a look, language by language.
Swedish
- Pronunciation:
- Norwegian pronunciation is more straight forward than Swedish. Swedish also has a more melodious quality to it that can be hard to master. There are also more vowel sounds in Swedish than in Norwegian.
- Spelling:
- Swedish spelling is more unpredictable. Norwegian spelling is more phonetic.
- Grammar:
- Verb conjugation is more difficult in Swedish. Norwegian also has a more straightforward system for gender and plurality.
Danish
Danish and Norwegian are extremely similar when written. This is because Norway was ruled by Denmark for over 400 years, and this left its mark on the language. But Norwegian is easier to learn than Danish because of one simple thing. The pronunciation. Danish pronunciation is very difficult to master and oftentimes does not match up with the writing. Norwegian is much more phonetic.
German
- Pronunciation:
- Norwegian pronunciation is much more straight forward than German. With its fewer vowel sounds and similar consonant sounds, Norwegian is easier for English speakers.
- Vocabulary:
- Norwegian shares many more cognates with English than German does. This means you’ll have to learn more completely new words in German than in Norwegian.
- Grammar:
- Norwegian grammar is similar to English, and generally speaking, much less complex than German.
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Learning Norwegian As An English Speaker
As an English speaker, you’re in luck. Norwegian is one of the easiest languages you can choose to learn. This is because of their close ties as Germanic languages. In fact, the Foreign Service Institute places Norwegian in the category of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers, only requiring about 600 hours of study to reach professional level proficiency.
Norway has also borrowed plenty of words from English. So you’ll have an advantage simply because a lot of words will make sense to you automatically. The challenges come in the form of different pronunciations, varieties of word order and gendered nouns. In fact, Norwegian has 3 genders for its nouns, masculine, feminine, and neutral. This is something that must be studied to overcome.
Is Norwegian Worth Learning?
There are many reasons for learning Norwegian, but these are of course individual. Travel, work, or personal interest can help you determine whether learning Norwegian is an undertaking worth taking on for you.
If you’re planning on traveling to Norway, or Scandinavia, knowing some Norwegian is absolutely helpful. You’ll get a deeper understanding of the culture and history of the country, and it’ll be WAY easier to get in touch with the locals. Most Norwegians speak English, yes, but we are more comfortable speaking our native tongue, and appreciate anyone making an effort to learn.
When it comes to work, you’ll have a definite leg up if you speak Norwegian. You’ll show your employers that you are hard working and you are trying to adapt and integrate into Norwegian society. You’ll also send a message that you’re in it for the long haul.
If Norway or Scandinavia, or learning a new language is just something you’re interested in, you can’t go wrong with Norwegian. It’s one of the easiest languages to learn, so you won’t have to invest as much to get it down. And of course, knowing the language spoken in a country you’re interested in will give an insight you otherwise wouldn’t get.
You may be wondering why you shouldn’t learn Danish or Swedish? Afterall, they have a higher population than Norway does. Well, knowing Norwegian means you’ll also be able to communicate with Swedes and Danes. Norway’s history is tied to both Denmark and Sweden, and as a result, the language is sort of the half-way point between Swedish and Danish. This means that both Danes and Swedes have a far easier time communicating with a Norwegian than with each other. And Norwegians can communicate with everyone.
Tips For Learning Norwegian
There are plenty of things you can do to help you learn Norwegian. You’ll need to immerse yourself in the language, consistency, as with all things, is key, and use technology to your advantage.
Nobody learns a new language without speaking with others who speak the language. The easiest way to do this is of course to move to Norway. But even then it might be hard to find someone who will want to practice with you. That is why our conversation classes are so great. You’ll be forced to use the language and adapt to unexpected situations. You’ll also have a native teacher helping you the whole way.
As with anything, you need consistency. A few hours a week is not enough. You need to use the language everyday. Read, write, listen, and most importantly, speak as much Norwegian as possible to make it stick in your brain.
Lastly, we live in a digital age, where the tools at your disposal are limitless. Apps, ebooks, podcasts, you name it! They’ll all help you get where you want to go. But again, you need to use the language with other speakers to really make it stick. Our online classes allow you to be anywhere in the world and use Norwegian with others. All you need is a computer or phone and a wifi connection. Check out our various classes here!
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See Our CoursesFrequently Asked Questions About Is It Norwegian Hard To Learn
Is Norwegian Hard To Learn?
Norwegian is one of the easier languages you can learn. Especially if you already speak English or another Germanic language.
Why Is Norwegian Easy To Learn?
It has a relatively easy grammar structure. It shares plenty of commonalities with English and other Germanic languages. It also has a lot of loanwords from other languages you might already know.
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Did you know that you don’t need all the grammar to speak fluent Norwegian? In our classes we focus just on the necessary vocabulary. So you can learn 3 times faster.