Subjunctive & Conditional
Learn to express hypothetical situations, wishes, and conditional sentences in Norwegian using 'ville', 'skulle', and 'hvis' (if) clauses.
1Conditional with Ville (Would)
Norwegian uses "ville" + infinitive to express "would" - similar to English conditional. "Ville" is the past form of "vil" but is used for hypothetical present/future situations. This construction is used for polite requests, hypothetical outcomes, and wishes.
Examples
Jeg ville gjerne ha en kopp kaffe.
I would like a cup of coffee.
ville gjerne = would like (polite)
Det ville være fint.
That would be nice.
ville være = would be
Jeg ville aldri gjøre det.
I would never do that.
ville for hypothetical actions
Hva ville du gjøre?
What would you do?
ville in hypothetical questions
2Conditional Sentences with Hvis
Conditional sentences use "hvis" (if) to express what would happen under certain conditions. The if-clause typically uses past tense, and the main clause uses "ville" + infinitive. Pattern: Hvis + past tense, ville + infinitive. Or reverse the order.
Examples
Hvis jeg hadde penger, ville jeg reise.
If I had money, I would travel.
Hvis + past (hadde) + ville
Jeg ville kjøpe huset hvis jeg var rik.
I would buy the house if I were rich.
ville clause first, hvis second
Hvis det var pent vær, ville vi gå tur.
If it were nice weather, we would go for a walk.
Hypothetical condition
Hva ville du gjøre hvis du vant i lotto?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Hypothetical question
3Real vs. Unreal Conditions
Norwegian distinguishes between real conditions (possible) and unreal conditions (hypothetical). Real conditions use present tense in the if-clause; unreal conditions use past tense. Real: Hvis det regner, tar jeg paraply. (If it rains, I'll take an umbrella - possible) Unreal: Hvis det regnet, ville jeg ta paraply. (If it rained, I would take... - hypothetical)
Examples
Hvis du kommer, blir jeg glad.
If you come, I'll be happy.
Real condition (present tense)
Hvis du kom, ville jeg bli glad.
If you came, I would be happy.
Unreal condition (past tense)
Hvis jeg ser ham, sier jeg hei.
If I see him, I'll say hi.
Real - it might happen
Hvis jeg var deg, ville jeg ikke gjøre det.
If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
Unreal - impossible condition
4Past Conditional (Would Have)
To express what would have happened in the past, use "ville ha" + past participle. This describes hypothetical past events that didn't actually happen. Pattern: ville ha + past participle. In if-clauses, use "hadde" + past participle.
Examples
Jeg ville ha hjulpet deg.
I would have helped you.
ville ha + past participle
Hvis jeg hadde visst, ville jeg ha kommet.
If I had known, I would have come.
Past condition + past conditional
Det ville ha vært bedre.
It would have been better.
ville ha vært = would have been
Hun ville ikke ha gjort det.
She wouldn't have done it.
Negative past conditional
5Expressing Wishes
Norwegian expresses wishes using "skulle ønske" (wish) followed by past tense for present wishes, or "hadde" + past participle for past wishes. "Bare" (only/if only) can also introduce wishes. These constructions express that something is different from reality.
Examples
Jeg skulle ønske jeg var rik.
I wish I were rich.
skulle ønske + past tense
Bare jeg hadde mer tid!
If only I had more time!
Bare + past tense for wishes
Jeg skulle ønske du hadde sagt det før.
I wish you had said that earlier.
Wish about the past
Bare han kunne komme!
If only he could come!
Bare + modal for wishes