Lesson goal
In this lesson, you will practice common verb-preposition combinations that need to be memorized as fixed patterns. They will help you speak more naturally about thoughts, waiting, communication, interests, and new activities.
New vocabulary
å tenke på — to think about
å vente på — to wait for
å høre på — to listen to
å snakke med — to talk with
å spørre om — to ask about, ask for
å drømme om — to dream about
å være interessert i — to be interested in
å begynne med — to begin, start doing something
Useful phrases
Jeg tenker på ferien. — I am thinking about the vacation.
Hun venter på bussen. — She is waiting for the bus.
Vi snakker med læreren. — We are talking with the teacher.
Er du interessert i musikk? — Are you interested in music?
Kan du høre på meg? — Can you listen to me?
Han spør om hjelp. — He is asking for help.
De drømmer om et nytt hus. — They are dreaming about a new house.
Jeg vil begynne med norsk igjen. — I want to start Norwegian again.
Grammar
Some Norwegian verbs are used with a specific preposition, and this preposition cannot be changed freely. It is best to learn such combinations as complete units: tenke på, vente på, snakke med. After the verb, the required preposition comes first, and then a noun, pronoun, or another part of the phrase: på ferien, med læreren, om jobben. Different verbs govern different prepositions: snakke med — with a person, spørre om — about something or for help, være interessert i — to be interested in something. If a verb follows the combination, the infinitive or another construction is often used, but at this stage the important thing is to remember the fixed verb-preposition combination as one pattern.
Examples
Jeg tenker ofte på familien min. — I often think about my family.
Hva tenker du på nå? — What are you thinking about now?
Vi venter på toget. — We are waiting for the train.
Barna venter på maten. — The children are waiting for the food.
Hun liker å høre på musikk om kvelden. — She likes to listen to music in the evening.
Hører du på læreren? — Are you listening to the teacher?
Jeg snakker med naboen hver dag. — I talk with my neighbor every day.
Kan jeg snakke med deg? — Can I talk with you?
Han spør om veien. — He is asking for directions.
Vi spør om mer tid. — We are asking for more time.
De drømmer om å reise til Norge. — They dream of traveling to Norway.
Jeg er interessert i språk. — I am interested in languages.
Er dere interessert i sport? — Are you interested in sports?
Hun begynner med et nytt kurs i morgen. — She is starting a new course tomorrow.
Jeg vil begynne med trening igjen. — I want to start training again.