Expressions with 'å like' and 'å synes'
Expressing opinions and preferences: å like (to like), å synes (to think/find), å trives (to feel at home).
Express likes, dislikes, and personal opinions using å like, å synes, and å trives.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg liker å spille fotball.
I like playing football.
Jeg synes norsk er et morsomt språk.
I find Norwegian a fun language.
Jeg trives veldig godt her.
I feel very much at home here.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Expressions with 'å like' and 'å synes'
| Verb | Present | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| å like | liker | to like | Jeg liker kaffe. / Jeg liker å lese. |
| å synes | synes | to find/think | Jeg synes norsk er gøy. / Hva synes du? |
| å trives | trives | to feel at home | Jeg trives godt i Oslo. |
Pattern: å like + å-infinitive; å synes + (at) + clause.
'Jeg liker danse' is wrong — use 'å': 'Jeg liker å danse'. 'synes' = personal opinion, not objective fact.
Common Error Patterns
Omitting 'å' before the infinitive after 'liker': 'liker danse' instead of 'liker å danse'.
Confusing 'synes' (subjective opinion) with 'tenker' (to think abstractly).
Jeg liker å spille fotball.
I like playing football.
'å like' + infinitive with 'å' to express a liked activity.
Jeg synes norsk er et morsomt språk.
I find Norwegian a fun language.
'å synes' expresses a personal opinion. Often followed by 'at' + clause.
Jeg trives veldig godt her.
I feel very much at home here.
'å trives' means to feel comfortable/at home somewhere.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Put it into practice
Try a free exercise from the courseFrequently asked questions
- When is Uttrykk med «å like» og «å synes» used?
- Konstruksjon: å like + infinitiv: «Jeg liker å lese.» — å synes + at-setning: «Jeg synes at det er bra.»
- What are common mistakes with Uttrykk med «å like» og «å synes»?
- 🇬🇧 English: 'synes' expresses subjective opinion — don't confuse with 'tenker' (think in abstract). 'Jeg liker å danse' (+ infinitive), not 'Jeg liker danse'. 🇷🇺 Russian: 'liker' = нравится but subject is the person who likes, not the thing. 🇨🇿 Czech: 'synes' + 'at' clause (like 'myslím, že'), not bare infinitive.