Lesson goal
In this lesson, you will get acquainted with the infinitive in Norwegian and learn to recognize the dictionary form of a verb. You will also see basic patterns with the particle å after simple verbs and in impersonal constructions.
New vocabulary
å spise — to eat
å drikke — to drink
å jobbe — to work
å lese — to read
å skrive — to write
å sove — to sleep
å snakke — to speak
å lære — to learn, to study
Useful phrases
Jeg liker å lese. — I like to read.
Hun vil lære norsk. — She wants to learn Norwegian.
Vi prøver å snakke norsk. — We try to speak Norwegian.
Det er viktig å sove. — It is important to sleep.
Jeg vil skrive. — I want to write.
Han liker å jobbe. — He likes to work.
De prøver å lære. — They try to learn.
Det er godt å drikke vann. — It is good to drink water.
Grammar
The infinitive is the basic, dictionary form of a verb. In Norwegian, it is usually used with the particle å: å spise, å lese, å sove. This is how the verb is usually given in word lists and dictionaries. The particle å is often used after some simple verbs when the second verb answers the question “what to do?”: liker å lese, vil lære, prøver å snakke. The infinitive with å also often appears after the impersonal pattern with det er: Det er viktig å sove. At this stage, it is important to remember two things: the dictionary form usually looks like å + verb, and after verbs expressing desire, attempt, or preference, å + infinitive often follows.
Examples
Jeg liker å spise. — I like to eat.
Jeg liker å drikke kaffe. — I like to drink coffee.
Hun vil lære norsk. — She wants to learn Norwegian.
Vi prøver å snakke norsk hjemme. — We try to speak Norwegian at home.
Han liker å lese om kvelden. — He likes to read in the evening.
Jeg vil skrive i dag. — I want to write today.
De prøver å jobbe sammen. — They try to work together.
Det er viktig å sove godt. — It is important to sleep well.
Barn liker å drikke melk. — Children like to drink milk.
Jeg prøver å lære nye ord. — I try to learn new words.
Hun liker å snakke med venner. — She likes to talk with friends.
Det er fint å lese på norsk. — It is nice to read in Norwegian.