The Norwegian puzzle - find your missing pieces

Silje Linn Moss
  • 0.0 (0)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING

Are you learning Norwegian? Do you find some aspects of the Norwegian language hard to grasp?Don't be puzzled! You have come to the right place!  In this podcast, you can pick the episodes covering the things you struggle with, whether it is pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary nuances, expressions, cultural aspects or you need some learning tips.  Bare hyggelig ;) 

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    #22 A, E, and Æ pronunciation... and some geometry revisions [uttale] [pronunciation]

    Send us a text In this pronunciation-focused episode, we break down three connected but distinct Norwegian vowel sounds: A, E, and Æ. Rather than getting caught up in complex terminology, we use visual imagery and physical awareness to help you feel the difference between these sounds. The beauty of these particular vowels? Your tongue gets to relax completely – it's all about your lips and jaw! For the A sound, think of a vertical rectangle – open your mouth downward without smiling. When pronouncing E, imagine a horizontal rectangle – slightly open with a smile. And for the challenging Æ sound (that letter that doesn't exist in English), visualize a perfect square with your mouth – combining elements of both A and E. We also explore an important distinction between letters and sounds in Norwegian, noting that while the letter Æ is always pronounced as Æ, the letter E can sometimes be pronounced as Æ depending on the word. Ready to practice? I've made a "song" with the melody of a Norwegian children's song to help you distinguish between these sounds in a fun, memorable way.  Give it a try and feel the difference in your mouth! ;)  Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    10 min

  2. 7 OCT

    #21 Snakkes? Spises? Synes? The secrets of s-ending verbs [grammatikk]

    Send us a text Struggling with those mysterious S-endings on Norwegian verbs?  The secret is that there isn't just one explanation – there are three distinct reasons why Norwegian verbs might end with S.  First, there's the reciprocal S, which you'll encounter in everyday phrases like "vi snakkes" (we'll talk to each other) and "vi ses" (we'll see each other). This clever construction eliminates the need for saying "each other" separately. Then there's the S-passive, which transforms active sentences into passive ones. Rather than saying "I eat the cake," you can shift focus by saying "the cake is being eaten" (kaka spises). This construction works beautifully for present tense statements but comes with limitations – you generally can't use it for past events.  Finally, we have true S-verbs – those that naturally end with S in their dictionary form. Verbs like "å synes" (to think/find something a certain way) and "å finnes" (to exist) maintain their S-ending through all tenses. Some of these evolved from the other categories, becoming so commonly used that they developed into full verbs with complete conjugation patterns. Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    19 min

  3. 30 SEPT

    #20 "Skal", "vil", or "kommer til å"? You will soon understand the future tenses! [vokabular]

    Send us a text Struggling with how to express future actions in Norwegian? You're not alone. The difficulty lies in the crucial distinctions between "skal," "vil," and "kommer til å" – three expressions that all translate to "will" in English but carry significantly different meanings in Norwegian. This episode dives deep into these differences, revealing how choosing the wrong one can accidentally make you sound controlling or create unintended meanings. We explore how "skal" is perfect for expressing plans you can control (things you could put in your calendar), while "kommer til å" is the go-to choice for future events that will happen naturally without your direct control. You'll discover why saying "Du skal like jobben din" sounds like you're ordering someone to enjoy their job, and why weather forecasts often use "skal" in a completely different way that has nothing to do with planning. The episode also unpacks secondary meanings of these expressions, including the idiomatic "Det skal ikke være lett" (It's not supposed to be easy), which Norwegians use to sympathize with life's difficulties. We clarify how the past tense "skulle" typically means "was going to" rather than "should," and why "burde" is often the safer choice when you want to express what someone should do. Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    19 min

  4. 23 SEPT

    #19 Språkforvirret? Lost in translation? Avoid these funny translation mistakes! [vokabular]

    Send us a text  This episode dives into some of the most common translation mistakes that nearly all Norwegian learners make, regardless of their level. Welcome to the world of being språkforvirret – language confused! Have you ever tried to directly translate "I am talking" to Norwegian and ended up saying something that sounds like "I am speaks"? You're not alone. Norwegian doesn't use the continuous tense like English does, making this one of the most persistent errors among English speakers. Or perhaps you've tried to tell someone you're doing great by saying "jeg er greit" – accidentally claiming you're an average person rather than expressing your excellent mood! We explore the fascinating false friends between languages, like how "greit" means "okay" not "great," and why "bare" doesn't always translate to "just." Discover how to translate"nice". And learn why saying "noe som det" for "something like that" immediately marks you as a non-native speaker. Have you encountered any puzzling translation moments in your Norwegian journey? Share your stories in the comments – your confusion might help someone else!  And if you found this episode helpful, feel free to share it and support the podcast on Buy Me A Coffee so we can continue unraveling Norwegian's linguistic mysteries together. Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    29 min

  5. 16 SEPT

    #18 "Hvis" or "om"? If I only knew ... / Hvis jeg bare visste det ... [grammatikk]

    Send us a text Starting with good news - you can always use "om" if you're uncertain, though native speakers typically differentiate between the two in conversation. But when should you use each one correctly? The key distinction lies in their grammatical functions.  "Hvis" introduces hypothetical situations with consequences. For example, "Hvis du vil ha dessert, må du spise grønnsakene først" (If you want dessert, you must eat your vegetables first). A helpful trick: if you can mentally insert "then" (så/da) after the conditional clause, "hvis" is usually your best choice. Meanwhile, "om" serves a specific purpose - it introduces indirect questions, in this case yes/no questions without question words like "når" (when) or "hva" (what). Think of "om" as equivalent to "whether" in English. When transforming direct questions like "Går det bra?" (Is it going well?) into indirect speech, you'd say "Jeg spør OM det går bra" (I'm asking whether it's going well). The episode includes practical examples to test your understanding, with explanations that make this grammar point much clearer. Whether you're a beginner struggling with basic conditionals or an intermediate learner fine-tuning your grammar, this episode provides the clarity you need to sound more natural in Norwegian.  Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    16 min

  6. 9 SEPT

    #17 "Annen", "annet", "andre" : another confusing topic in Norwegian [grammatikk] [vokabular]

    Send us a text This episode tackles one of the most confusing aspects of Norwegian grammar: the different forms of "annet," "annen," and "andre" and when to use each one. I start by clarifying a fundamental distinction that English speakers often miss – the difference between "one more of something" (enda en/et) versus "a different one" (annen/annet/andre).  I also address common pronunciation shortcuts that native speakers use, and explain how definiteness works with these words (and how to know whether "andre" means "second" or "other").  Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    21 min

  7. 2 SEPT

    #16 Inversion: what it is, when to do it and how [grammatikk]

    Send us a text The logic behind Norwegian inversion is actually quite straightforward once you understand it: the verb always wants to occupy the second position in any main clause. This doesn't mean it's literally the second word, but rather the second functional element. When you place something optional at the beginning of a sentence (like "tomorrow" or "in Norway"), the subject and verb must swap places to maintain this verb-second pattern. Many learners either avoid inversion altogether or overuse it incorrectly. The key is recognizing what triggers inversion and what doesn't.  For those who already speak German, you'll find numerous structural similarities that can help fast-track your understanding. Norwegian and German share many word order patterns that differ significantly from English, making it worthwhile to look for these parallels rather than always comparing to English. Practice putting different elements at the beginning of sentences and watch how the rest of the words must rearrange themselves—soon, this "strange" word order will become second nature! Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    14 min

  8. 26 AUG

    #15 When English "to" becomes "å", "til å", or "for å" [vokabular]

    Send us a text The seemingly simple word "to" can transform into three different Norwegian constructions: "å" (the infinitive particle), "til å," or "for å." Each serves a distinct purpose in Norwegian.  Ready to practice? Create your own examples in the comments wherever you're listening, or email me at norskmedsilje@gmail.com. I'd be happy to check your work and provide feedback. Subscribe for more Norwegian language insights and join a community of passionate Norwegian learners! Support the show Do you like the podcast? :) Feel free to buy me a coffee :) buymeacoffee.com/thenorwegianpuzzle .... This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, Deezer and Podcast Addict. .... Transcript available here: https://the-norwegian-puzzle.buzzsprout.com .... Questions? Feedback? Get in touch! norskmedsilje@gmail.com .... Other places to find me: www.norsk-med-silje.com www.facebook.com/norskmedsilje www.instagram.com/norskmedsilje www.linkedin.com/in/silje-linn-moss

    13 min
See All (22)

About

Are you learning Norwegian? Do you find some aspects of the Norwegian language hard to grasp?Don't be puzzled! You have come to the right place!  In this podcast, you can pick the episodes covering the things you struggle with, whether it is pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary nuances, expressions, cultural aspects or you need some learning tips.  Bare hyggelig ;) 

Information

  • Creator
    Silje Linn Moss
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Norwegian puzzle - find your missing pieces
  • Show Website
    The Norwegian puzzle - find your missing pieces
  • Provider