Adverbs from Adjectives — Norwegian Grammar

An adverb describes how something is done: "she sings beautifully", "drive slowly". English usually adds "-ly" to an adjective. Norwegian uses the neuter form of the adjective, the one ending in -t.

(pretty) → (prettily, nicely)
(good) → (well)
(loud) → (loudly)
(quick) → (quickly)

Hun synger pent.
She sings nicely.
Maten smaker godt.
The food tastes good.
Den kjeksen smaker veldig søtt.
That biscuit tastes very sweet.
Han løper raskt.
He runs fast.

No -t Where the Adjective Has None

Adjectives that take no -t in the neuter use their plain form as the adverb: those ending in -ig and -sk, and .

Snakk rolig.
Speak calmly.
Du snakker det veldig bra.
You speak it very well.
Han svarte vennlig.
He answered kindly.

Adverbs in Their Own Right

Some common adverbs are not formed from an adjective at all, such as (fast) and (slowly).

Kom fort!
Come quickly!
Han kjører sakte.
He drives slowly.

Comparing How

Adverbs compare in the same way as adjectives, with -ere and -est.

Snakk høyere, vær så snill.
Speak louder, please.
Kan du snakke litt saktere?
Can you speak a little more slowly?
Hun løper fortest.
She runs the fastest.

Words That Strengthen or Soften

A few adverbs adjust how strong an adjective or another adverb is. They stand directly in front of it.

- very
- quite
- a little
- too
- so

Hun er veldig vakker.
She is very beautiful.
Faren hans er ganske ung.
His father is quite young.
Det er for dyrt.
It is too expensive.
Kjøkkenet er så lite.
The kitchen is so small.

Where the Adverb Goes

An adverb of manner usually comes after the verb, or after the object if there is one.

Han spiller gitar veldig bra.
He plays the guitar very well.

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