Personal Pronouns
Learn the Norwegian personal pronouns used as subjects and objects. Norwegian pronouns are straightforward with no case system for nouns, making them easy to learn for English speakers.
1Subject Pronouns
Norwegian subject pronouns are used when the pronoun is the one doing the action. They are: jeg (I), du (you), han (he), hun (she), det/den (it), vi (we), dere (you plural), de (they). Norwegian does not distinguish between formal and informal "you" in modern usage - "du" is used universally, making it simpler than many other European languages.
Examples
Jeg er norsk.
I am Norwegian.
jeg = I (always lowercase unless starting sentence)
Du snakker godt norsk.
You speak Norwegian well.
du = you (used for everyone)
Han kommer fra Bergen.
He comes from Bergen.
han = he
Hun liker kaffe.
She likes coffee.
hun = she
2Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are used when the pronoun receives the action. They are: meg (me), deg (you), ham/han (him), henne (her), det/den (it), oss (us), dere (you plural), dem (them). Note that "han" can be used as both subject and object in spoken Norwegian, though "ham" is grammatically correct for objects.
Examples
Kan du hjelpe meg?
Can you help me?
meg = me (object form of jeg)
Jeg ser deg.
I see you.
deg = you (object form of du)
Vi besøker henne i morgen.
We are visiting her tomorrow.
henne = her (object form of hun)
Kan du gi oss litt tid?
Can you give us some time?
oss = us (object form of vi)
3It - Det vs. Den
Norwegian has two words for "it": "det" and "den". Use "det" for neuter nouns (et-words) and "den" for common gender nouns (en-words). The choice depends on the grammatical gender of the noun being replaced. Additionally, "det" is used in impersonal constructions like weather expressions and "there is/are" sentences.
Examples
Huset er stort. Det er gammelt.
The house is big. It is old.
det = it (for et-words like 'et hus')
Bilen er rød. Den er ny.
The car is red. It is new.
den = it (for en-words like 'en bil')
Det regner i dag.
It is raining today.
det for weather (impersonal)
Det er en katt i hagen.
There is a cat in the garden.
det for 'there is/are'
4They and Plural Forms
"De" means "they" and "dem" is the object form "them". In spoken Norwegian, you might hear "dem" used as subject too, but this is considered non-standard. "Dere" means "you" (plural) and is used both as subject and object, like English "you" for groups.
Examples
De bor i Oslo.
They live in Oslo.
de = they (subject)
Jeg kjenner dem godt.
I know them well.
dem = them (object)
Hvor kommer dere fra?
Where do you (all) come from?
dere = you plural (subject)
Vi inviterer dere til festen.
We invite you (all) to the party.
dere = you plural (object)
5Reflexive Pronouns
Norwegian uses "seg" as a reflexive pronoun for third person (himself, herself, itself, themselves). For first and second person, the regular object pronouns are used (meg, deg, oss, dere). Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object refer to the same person or thing.
Examples
Han vasker seg.
He washes himself.
seg = himself/herself/itself/themselves
Jeg kler på meg.
I dress myself.
meg = myself (same as object form)
De koser seg.
They are enjoying themselves.
seg for 'they - themselves'
Vi hygger oss.
We are having a good time.
oss = ourselves (same as 'us')