Reported Speech
Learn to report what others have said using Norwegian indirect speech. Understand tense shifts and how to report statements, questions, and commands.
1Introduction to Reported Speech
Reported speech (indirekte tale) is used when you tell someone what another person said. Norwegian uses "at" (that) to introduce reported statements, though it's often optional in casual speech. Unlike some languages, Norwegian indirect speech is relatively straightforward and follows natural patterns.
Examples
Han sa at han var trøtt.
He said that he was tired.
sa at + reported statement
Hun fortalte meg at hun skulle reise.
She told me that she was going to travel.
fortalte + at + statement
De sa de kom i morgen.
They said they were coming tomorrow.
'at' can be omitted
Han mente at det var sant.
He thought that it was true.
mente at for opinions
2Tense Shifts in Reported Speech
When the reporting verb is in the past (sa, fortalte, spurte), the tense in the reported clause often shifts back. Present becomes past, past becomes past perfect. However, this shift is less strict in Norwegian than in English. In casual speech, Norwegians often keep the original tense, especially for recent or still-relevant statements.
Examples
Han sa: "Jeg er syk." → Han sa at han var syk.
He said: 'I am sick.' → He said he was sick.
er → var (present → past)
Hun sa at hun hadde spist.
She said that she had eaten.
spiste → hadde spist (past → past perfect)
De sa at de skulle komme.
They said that they would come.
skal → skulle
Han sa han er sulten. (casual)
He said he's hungry.
No shift in casual speech
3Reporting Questions
For yes/no questions, use "om" (if/whether) to introduce the reported question. For wh-questions, use the original question word (hva, hvor, når, etc.). The word order becomes statement order, not question order. Remember: In reported questions, the verb doesn't come first like in direct questions.
Examples
Han spurte om jeg hadde tid.
He asked if I had time.
om for yes/no questions
Hun spurte hvor jeg bodde.
She asked where I lived.
hvor + statement word order
De ville vite når vi kom.
They wanted to know when we were coming.
når for 'when' questions
Han lurte på hva jeg mente.
He wondered what I meant.
lurte på + question word
4Reporting Commands and Requests
Commands are reported using verbs like "ba" (asked), "sa at ... skulle/måtte" (said that ... should/must), or infinitive constructions. The imperative changes to a statement about what should be done. Use "ba ... om å" for polite requests.
Examples
Hun ba meg om å vente.
She asked me to wait.
ba + om å + infinitive
Læreren sa at vi skulle være stille.
The teacher said we should be quiet.
sa at + skulle for commands
Han fortalte meg å stoppe.
He told me to stop.
fortalte + å + infinitive
De ba oss om å ikke røyke.
They asked us not to smoke.
om å ikke for negative requests
5Common Reporting Verbs
Norwegian has many verbs for reporting speech: si (say), fortelle (tell), spørre (ask), svare (answer), mene (think/mean), tro (believe), forklare (explain), påstå (claim). Each has slightly different usage patterns and connotations.
Examples
Han påsto at han var uskyldig.
He claimed that he was innocent.
påstå for claims
Hun svarte at hun ikke visste.
She answered that she didn't know.
svare for answers
Legen forklarte at jeg måtte hvile.
The doctor explained that I had to rest.
forklare for explanations
Jeg trodde at du kom.
I thought that you were coming.
tro for beliefs/assumptions