Present Tense
Master the Norwegian present tense, one of the easiest verb forms to learn. Norwegian verbs have the same form for all persons - no conjugation by subject is needed!
1The Simple Present Tense Rule
Norwegian has perhaps the simplest verb conjugation system in Europe. The present tense is formed by adding -r to the infinitive. The same form is used for all persons (I, you, he, she, it, we, they). Infinitive: å snakke (to speak) → Present: snakker (speak/speaks). There are no exceptions to this pattern - every verb works this way!
Examples
Jeg snakker norsk.
I speak Norwegian.
å snakke → snakker (add -r)
Han snakker norsk.
He speaks Norwegian.
Same form 'snakker' for all subjects
Vi bor i Oslo.
We live in Oslo.
å bo → bor
De jobber på kontoret.
They work at the office.
å jobbe → jobber
2Common Regular Verbs
Most Norwegian verbs are regular and follow the simple -r pattern. Learning common verbs helps you build vocabulary quickly. The infinitive marker "Ã¥" (to) is dropped when conjugating. Notice that spelling changes don't occur - you simply add -r to the infinitive form.
Examples
Jeg liker kaffe.
I like coffee.
å like → liker
Hun spiser frokost.
She eats breakfast.
å spise → spiser
Vi lærer norsk.
We learn Norwegian.
å lære → lærer
De leser avisen.
They read the newspaper.
å lese → leser
3The Verb 'å være' (to be)
The verb "å være" (to be) is slightly irregular. Its present tense form is "er" for all persons. This is one of the most important verbs to memorize as it's used constantly. Unlike English, Norwegian uses the same "er" whether you're saying "I am", "you are", or "they are".
Examples
Jeg er student.
I am a student.
er = am/is/are (all persons)
Du er snill.
You are kind.
er for 'you are'
Det er kaldt i dag.
It is cold today.
er for 'it is'
Vi er klare.
We are ready.
er for 'we are'
4The Verb 'Ã¥ ha' (to have)
"Ã… ha" (to have) is another essential verb. Its present tense is "har" for all persons. This verb is used for possession and in many common expressions. Like "er", "har" never changes regardless of who has something.
Examples
Jeg har en hund.
I have a dog.
har = have/has (all persons)
Hun har en søster.
She has a sister.
har for 'she has'
Vi har tid.
We have time.
har for 'we have'
Har du lyst?
Do you want to? (lit: Have you desire?)
Common expression with har
5Using Present for Future
Norwegian often uses the present tense to express future actions, especially with time words like "i morgen" (tomorrow), "neste uke" (next week), or "senere" (later). This is similar to English "I'm going tomorrow" - the present form with future meaning.
Examples
Jeg reiser i morgen.
I'm traveling tomorrow.
Present tense + i morgen = future
Filmen starter kl. 8.
The movie starts at 8 o'clock.
Present for scheduled events
Vi kommer neste uke.
We're coming next week.
å komme → kommer for near future
Han flytter til Bergen snart.
He's moving to Bergen soon.
Present tense with snart (soon)