Question words
Most Norwegian question words start with hv-. The verb comes right after the question word.
We teach BokmÄl, the written standard most people in Norway use.
What is this about?
A question is a sentence where you want to find something out. There are two main kinds. Yes/no questions can be answered with yes or no: «Bor du her?» (Do you live here?) Question-word questions ask for more information â a place, a time, a person: «Hvor bor du?» (Where do you live?)
Most Norwegian question words start with hv-: «hva» (what), «hvem» (who), «hvor» (where), «hvorfor» (why), «hvordan» (how). The h is silent: «hva» sounds like «va». The order is always the same: question word, then verb, then subject. «Hva heter du?» (What's your name?) «NÄr kommer bussen?» (When does the bus come?)
English often needs «do»: Where do you live? Norwegian has no such helper verb â you simply put the main verb straight after the question word. You'll need these questions from day one: on the bus, in the shop, at the doctor's and at NAV.
Rules
- hva (what), hvem (who), hvor (where), nÄr (when), hvorfor (why), hvordan (how), hvilken/hvilket/hvilke (which), hvor mye (how much), hvor mange (how many).
- The h is silent: hva sounds like «va», hvor like «vor».
- Word order: question word â verb â subject: Hvor bor du? There is no helper verb like âdoâ.
- Hvilken follows the gender: hvilken bil, hvilket hus, hvilke biler.
- Yes/no questions have no question word â the verb comes first: Bor du her?
Examples
- Hva heter du?What is your name?
- NĂ„r begynner kurset?When does the course start?
- Hvor mange barn har du?How many children do you have?
- Hvorfor lĂŠrer du norsk?Why are you learning Norwegian?
- Hvor mye koster en mÄnedsbillett?How much does a monthly ticket cost?
- Hvilken buss gÄr til sykehuset?Which bus goes to the hospital?
- Hvordan gÄr det med moren din?How is your mother doing?
- NÄr mÄ jeg sende meldekortet til NAV?When do I have to send the employment status form to NAV?