The modal verb 'må' expresses necessity and obligation in Norwegian.
I can use 'må' for obligation and know the difference between 'must not' and 'don't have to'.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Du må jobbe i dag.
You must work today.
Du må ikke røyke her.
You must not smoke here.
Du trenger ikke betale.
You don't have to pay.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The modal verb må expresses necessity or obligation. Always followed by infinitive without 'å'.
Key distinction:
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice Exercises🇬🇧 'Må ikke' ≠ 'don't have to' — it means MUST NOT. Use 'trenger ikke' for 'don't have to'.
Confusing 'må ikke' (must not) with 'don't have to'
Use 'trenger ikke' for 'don't have to'; 'må ikke' = prohibition
Conjugating verb after modal
Verb after 'må' stays in infinitive form
Du må jobbe i dag.
You must work today.
'må' expresses obligation
Du må ikke røyke her.
You must not smoke here.
'Må ikke' = prohibition (must not)
Du trenger ikke betale.
You don't have to pay.
'Trenger ikke' = don't have to (not obligatory)
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises