Polite Requests — Norwegian Grammar

Norwegian has no single word that is used as often as English "please". Politeness comes from the way a request is phrased: a question instead of an order, a softer verb form, or a short phrase added at the end.

vær så snill

, literally "be so kind", is the closest to "please". It usually comes at the end of a request.

Kan jeg se en meny, vær så snill?
Can I see a menu, please?
En kopp kaffe og en sandwich, vær så snill.
A cup of coffee and a sandwich, please.

vennligst

is formal. It is typical of written instructions, signs and announcements, and it sounds stiff in conversation.

Vennligst ring oss når du ankommer.
Please call us when you arrive.
Vennligst ikke røyk her.
Please do not smoke here.

Asking Instead of Telling

A question with (can) is the everyday polite request. (could) is softer still.

Kan du åpne døren?
Can you open the door?
Kunne du gjenta det?
Could you repeat that?

Ordering and Asking for Things

(Can I have …?) is the standard way to ask for something in a shop or restaurant. (I'll take …) and (I would like …) are just as common.

Kan jeg få regningen?
Can I have the bill?
Jeg tar suppen.
I'll have the soup.
Jeg vil gjerne ha en kopp te.
I would like a cup of tea.

Thanking and Answering

- thank you
- thank you very much
- you're welcome
- here you are; please, go ahead

Takk. Bare hyggelig.
Thanks. You're welcome.
Vær så god, her er kaffen.
Here you are, here is the coffee.

Sorry and Excuse Me

gets someone's attention or apologises for something small. is a fuller apology.

Unnskyld, kan jeg bestille?
Excuse me, can I order?
Beklager, jeg forsto ikke.
Sorry, I didn't understand.

Yes, Please

(gladly) turns a plain yes into a polite one.

Vil du ha en øl? Ja, gjerne.
Would you like a beer? Yes, please.

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