The subjunctive and old fixed expressions
Norwegian has almost lost the subjunctive, but it lives on in expressions like Leve kongen! and koste hva det koste vil. Here you learn to recognise and use them correctly.
We teach BokmÄl, the written standard most people in Norway use.
In short: The subjunctive (the wish form) has almost disappeared from Norwegian, but it lives on in fixed expressions like Leve kongen! (Long live the king!) and Gud bevare kongen (God save the king).
Rules
- What it is: A verb form for wishes or exhortations. It looks like the infinitive without Ă„ and has no -r: leve, bevare, skje.
- Leve âŠ!: Used to cheer someone: Leve kongen! Lenge leve brudeparet! (Long live the bride and groom!)
- Gud bevare: From the royal anthem: Gud bevare kongen. As an exclamation, Gud bevare meg vel! means «Good heavens!»
- Takk skje: A solemn «thank goodness»: Takk skje Gud at ingen ble skadd (Thank God nobody was hurt).
- Det vĂŠre seg: = be it: Alle, det vĂŠre seg ansatte eller kunder, skal behandles likt.
- Koste hva det koste vil: = whatever the cost: Vi skal fullfĂžre prosjektet, koste hva det koste vil.
- Som seg hĂžr og bĂžr: = as is right and proper: Han takket for maten, som seg hĂžr og bĂžr.
- Fred vĂŠre med: Solemn, in obituaries: Fred vĂŠre med hans minne (May he rest in peace).
- Gid: = I wish, if only: Gid jeg hadde visst det fĂžr! A bit old-fashioned, but still used.
- MĂ„tte: A modern solemn wish: MĂ„tte dere fĂ„ mange lykkelige Ă„r sammen! (May you have âŠ) In everyday speech: Jeg hĂ„per at âŠ
- Formal set phrases: In letters and contracts: Med vennlig hilsen (Kind regards), Undertegnede bekrefter herved at ⊠(The undersigned hereby confirms âŠ)
- Style: Use these expressions deliberately. In casual talk they sound solemn or slightly ironic.
Typical mistake: Adding the present-tense -r: *Lenge lever kongen! â Lenge leve kongen! Without -r it's a wish, with -r a statement.
Examples
- Leve kongen!Long live the king!
- Gud bevare kongen og fedrelandet.God save the king and the fatherland.
- Takk skje Gud at ingen ble skadd.Thank God nobody was hurt.
- Alle, det vĂŠre seg ansatte eller kunder, skal behandles likt.Everyone, be it employees or customers, must be treated equally.
- Vi skal fullfĂžre prosjektet, koste hva det koste vil.We will complete the project, whatever the cost.
- Han takket for maten, som seg hĂžr og bĂžr.He thanked his hosts for the meal, as is only proper.
- Gid jeg hadde visst det fĂžr!If only I had known earlier!
- MÄtte dere fÄ mange lykkelige Är sammen!May you have many happy years together!