Navigating the intricacies of numerical expression and financial discourse in a foreign language can be a significant hurdle. For English speakers, Norwegian presents particular challenges due to its unique ordinal number system, its use of the comma as a decimal separator, and distinct financial terminology. This article will serve as a comprehensive guide to mastering Norwegian numbers and financial data, providing you with the foundational knowledge necessary to confidently engage with monetary transactions, statistical information, and economic discussions.
Understanding the cardinal numbers forms the bedrock of any numerical comprehension. While many numbers share similarities with their Germanic cousins, several key distinctions require careful attention. Start your 1-to-1 private Norwegian class today.
Numbers 0-10: The Building Blocks
- 0: _null_
- 1: _en_ (masculine/feminine), _ett_ (neuter) – This gender distinction is crucial, particularly when counting objects. “One car” is _én bil_, while “one house” is _ett hus_.
- 2: _to_
- 3: _tre_
- 4: _fire_
- 5: _fem_
- 6: _seks_
- 7: _sju_ or _syv_ (both are acceptable, but _sju_ is more common in spoken Norwegian)
- 8: _åtte_
- 9: _ni_
- 10: _ti_
It is imperative to internalize these initial numbers as they are the DNA of all subsequent numerical constructs. Think of them as the primary colours from which all other hues are mixed.
Numbers 11-19: Irregularities and Patterns
This range introduces a mix of unique forms and emerging patterns.
- 11: _elleve_
- 12: _tolv_
- 13: _tretten_
- 14: _fjorten_
- 15: _femten_
- 16: _seksten_
- 17: _sytten_
- 18: _atten_
- 19: _nitten_
Notice the repetition of the base number followed by ‘-ten’ (from ‘_ti_’ – ten) for 13 through 19. The exceptions, _elleve_ and _tolv_, are reminiscent of English ‘eleven’ and ‘twelve’.
Numbers 20-99: Combining Tens and Units
From twenty onwards, Norwegian number formation largely follows a consistent pattern: the tens digit precedes the units digit, separated by nothing.
- 20: _tjue_
- 21: _tjueén_ (or _tjueett_)
- 22: _tjueto_
- 30: _tretti_
- 31: _trettién_
- 40: _førti_
- 50: _femti_
- 60: _seksti_
- 70: _sytti_
- 80: _åtti_
- 90: _nitti_
A common pitfall for English speakers is the order. While English states “twenty-one,” Norwegian directly translates to “twenty one.” There is no ‘and’ or hyphen.
Larger Numbers: Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond
As numbers grow, the pattern of combination continues, albeit with specific terms for powers of ten.
- 100: _hundre_ (e.g., _ett hundre_, _tre hundre_)
- 101: _ett hundre og én_ (or _ett hundre og ett_) – Note the inclusion of ‘og’ (and) when combining hundreds with units/tens.
- 250: _to hundre og femti_
- 1000: _tusen_ (e.g., _ett tusen_, _fem tusen_)
- 10,000: _ti tusen_
- 100,000: _ett hundre tusen_
- 1,000,000: _én million_ (or _en million_)
- 1,000,000,000 (one billion): _én milliard_
It is crucial to remember the Norwegian use of ‘milliard’ for _one billion_ (1,000,000,000), which can cause confusion with the American ‘billion’ (1,000,000,000) and the traditional British ‘billion’ (1,000,000,000,000). Always clarify context when discussing large figures to avoid misinterpretation, especially in financial settings.
Regular practice with numbers, perhaps by counting objects or reading out phone numbers and addresses in Norwegian, will solidify your understanding.
Ordinal Numbers: Positioning and Sequence
Ordinal numbers, those indicating position in a sequence (first, second, third), follow a distinct system in Norwegian, often differing significantly from their cardinal counterparts.
Ordinals 1st-10th: Key Irregularities
- 1st: _første_
- 2nd: _andre_
- 3rd: _tredje_
- 4th: _fjerde_
- 5th: _femte_
- 6th: _sjette_
- 7th: _sjuende_ (or _syvende_)
- 8th: _åttende_
- 9th: _niende_
- 10th: _tiende_
Notice the unique forms for the first four, followed by the addition of ‘-ende’ or ‘-te’ to the cardinal root for subsequent numbers. These must be memorized as they are frequently encountered in dates, rankings, and sequential instructions.
Ordinals 11th Onwards: Emerging Patterns
Beyond the tenth, a more predictable pattern emerges: most ordinal numbers are formed by adding ‘-ende’ or ‘-te’ to the stem of the cardinal number.
- 11th: _ellevte_
- 12th: _tolvte_
- 13th: _trettende_
- 20th: _tjuende_
- 21st: _tjueførste_ (note the use of _første_ for the unit digit)
- 100th: _hundrede_ or _hundrede_ (less common, often simply _hundre_ in context)
When expressing dates, for instance, you would say ‘_Den første mai_’ (The first of May). In written form, suffixes similar to English ‘1st’, ‘2nd’ are not used; instead, the full word is written out or the number is followed by a period (e.g., _1. februar_ for February 1st).
Decimal Separators, Fractions, and Percentages
Understanding how Norway handles fractional numbers, decimals, and statistical proportions is critical for financial literacy.
Decimal Separator: The Comma Rule
In Norwegian, and indeed across most of continental Europe, the comma (‘,’) is used as the decimal separator, while the period (‘.’) or a space is used as a thousands separator. This is a direct inversion of the British and American conventions.
- English: 1,234.56 (one thousand two hundred thirty-four and fifty-six hundredths)
- Norwegian: 1 234,56 or 1.234,56 (én tusen to hundre og trettifire komma femtiseks)
This difference is not merely syntactic; it can lead to significant financial errors if not correctly observed. Imagine misinterpreting 1.000,00 kr as one thousand kroner when it actually signifies one unit. Vigilance is key.
Fractions: Standard and Colloquial Expressions
Fractions can be expressed formally and informally in Norwegian.
- 1/2: _en halv_ (one half)
- 1/3: _én tredjedel_ (one third)
- 1/4: _én firedel_ (one quarter)
- 3/4: _tre firedeler_ (three quarters)
For more complex fractions, the numerator is a cardinal number and the denominator is an ordinal number followed by ‘-del’ (part/share).
Percentages: The ‘Prosent’ Term
Percentages are straightforward. The word for “percent” is _prosent_.
- 10%: _ti prosent_
- 50%: _femti prosent_
- 100%: _hundre prosent_
“Percentage point” is _prosentpoeng_. When discussing changes, be precise about whether you are referring to percentage points or a percentage change of a value.
Financial Terminology: Currency, Banking, and Investments
Stepping into the financial landscape of Norway requires familiarity with specific vocabulary related to currency, banking, and investment.
Currency: The Norwegian Krone
The official currency of Norway is the Norwegian Krone (_norsk krone_). Its international currency code is NOK.
- Kr: The symbol for Krone, often placed after the amount (e.g., _100 kr_).
- Øre: The subunit of the krone, with 100 øre equalling 1 krone. However, øre coins were withdrawn from circulation in 2012, and cash transactions are rounded to the nearest krone. Digital transactions still use øre.
When discussing prices, it is common to hear sums expressed such as ‘_femti kroner_’ (fifty kroner) or ‘_femti kr_’.
Basic Banking Terms
Navigating a bank (bank) or discussing finances often involves the following:
- Bankkonto: Bank account
- Sparekonto: Savings account
- Lånekonto: Loan account
- Kredittkort: Credit card
- Debetkort: Debit card
- Kontonummer: Account number
- Bankoverføring: Bank transfer
- Innbetaling: Payment (into an account)
- Utbetaling: Payment (out of an account)
- Rente: Interest (as in interest rate, _rentefot_)
- Gebyr: Fee
- Valutakurs: Exchange rate
- Minibank/Uttaksautomat: ATM / cash machine
Familiarity with these terms transforms the potentially bewildering experience of banking in a foreign language into a manageable task.
Investment and Economic Vocabulary
For those delving into investments or economic discussions, an expanded vocabulary is necessary.
- Aksje: Share (stock)
- Obligasjon: Bond
- Fond: Fund (e.g., investment fund)
- Nettoverdi: Net worth
- Bruttoinntekt: Gross income
- Nettoinntekt: Net income
- Skatt: Tax
- Statsbudsjett: National budget
- Inflasjon: Inflation
- Økonomisk vekst: Economic growth
- Arbeidsledighet: Unemployment
- Markedsverdi: Market value
- Utbytte: Dividend
Understanding these terms allows you to move beyond basic transactions into more nuanced discussions about personal finance, national economy, and investment opportunities in Norway. Think of language as the key to a conversation, and financial terms as the specific vocabulary needed to unlock discussions about wealth and value.
Practical Applications and Common Pitfalls
| Category | Metric | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers | Cardinal Numbers | en (1), to (2), tre (3), ti (10), hundre (100) | Basic counting numbers used in everyday language |
| Numbers | Ordinal Numbers | første (1st), andre (2nd), tredje (3rd) | Used to indicate position or order |
| Financial Data | Currency | norske kroner (NOK) | Norwegian currency, no symbol used here |
| Financial Data | Common Financial Terms | inntekt (income), utgift (expense), balanse (balance) | Essential vocabulary for financial discussions |
| Financial Data | Large Numbers | tusen (1,000), million (1,000,000), milliard (1,000,000,000) | Important for understanding financial reports |
| Numbers | Decimal Separator | Komma (e.g., 3,14) | Norwegian uses comma instead of point for decimals |
| Numbers | Thousands Separator | Space (e.g., 1 000) | Space is used to separate thousands in numbers |
Applying this knowledge in real-world scenarios is crucial, and anticipating common errors can save you from misunderstandings.
Reading and Stating Prices
When encountering prices, the comma as a decimal separator is your primary consideration. A price of “129,50 kr” should be read as “_hundre og tjueni kroner og femti øre_” (or simply “_hundre og tjueni femti_”).
When asking for prices, you might use:
- “_Hvor mye koster det?_” (How much does it cost?)
- “_Hva er prisen for dette?_” (What is the price for this?)
Dates and Times in Financial Contexts
Dates are often expressed with the day preceding the month, and a period after the day.
- 12.04.2023: _den tolvte april to tusen og tjuetre_ (April 12th, 2023)
Times typically adhere to the 24-hour clock in formal contexts and public information.
- 14:30: _fjorten tretti_ (two thirty PM)
Understanding these conventions is essential for invoices, deadlines, and scheduling financial appointments.
Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension
Even with perfect grammatical understanding, incorrect pronunciation or a lack of listening practice can hinder effective communication. Numbers, especially those with similar sounds (like _sju_ and _tjue_), require careful distinction. Regularly listening to Norwegian financial news, podcasts, or online banking tutorials can greatly enhance your comprehension.
Avoiding Misinterpretations: Context Is King
Always treat numbers and financial data with a measure of caution. If unsure about a figure or term, ask for clarification.
- “_Kan du gjenta det tallet, vær så snill?_” (Could you repeat that number, please?)
- “_Mente du tusen eller hundre?_” (Did you mean thousand or hundred?)
Contextual clues are invaluable. If discussing a house price, _fem millioner_ is plausible, whereas _fem tusen_ would be highly unlikely.
Mastering Norwegian numbers and financial data is an ongoing process. It requires dedication to memorisation, an understanding of cultural conventions, and consistent practice. As you progress, you will find these numerical and financial pillars become intuitive, allowing you to confidently engage with the economic fabric of Norway.
Enhance Your Fluency with NLS Norwegian Language School
For those serious about mastering Norwegian numbers and financial data, as well as the broader linguistic landscape, the NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo offers tailored and highly effective learning solutions. At NLS, we understand that for many individuals, particularly professionals, a group setting may not always cater to specific needs or accommodate demanding schedules. This is precisely why we emphasise our Norwegian 1 to 1 private courses.
Our private courses at NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo are designed to provide an unparalleled, immersive, and personalised learning experience. Imagine a classroom where the curriculum is sculpted exclusively around your learning pace, your specific objectives, and your existing knowledge. This is the reality of our 1 to 1 tuition. Whether your goal is to confidently discuss multi-million kroner investments, meticulously review intricate financial reports, or simply ensure perfect accuracy when handling everyday transactions, our dedicated and experienced instructors will focus solely on your mastery. You receive immediate, direct feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and usage, ensuring that any misconceptions are addressed instantly. This individual attention allows for an accelerated learning curve, enabling you to grasp complex concepts faster and with greater retention. Furthermore, with flexible scheduling options, our 1 to 1 private courses at NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo seamlessly integrate into your busiest professional or personal life, eliminating the constraints often associated with fixed group class timetables. Invest in yourself and unlock your full potential in Norwegian with the bespoke, expert-led private tuition awaiting you at the NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo.