Modal verbs: vil and skal
The modals 'vil' and 'skal' express desire and planned intention in Norwegian.
I can use 'vil' for wishes and 'skal' for plans and intentions.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg vil reise til Paris.
I want to travel to Paris.
Vi skal spise middag klokken seks.
We are going to have dinner at six o'clock.
Vil du ha mer kaffe?
Do you want more coffee?
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Norwegian uses two modals for the future and intentions:
- vil = want to (desire): 'Jeg vil reise.' (I want to travel.)
- skal = going to / shall (plan): 'Vi skal spise nå.' (We're going to eat now.)
Both are followed by bare infinitive (no 'å').
🇬🇧 Don't use 'vil' for plans — use 'skal'. 'Vil' = want (desire only). ❌ Jeg vil møte deg klokken tre → ✅ Jeg skal møte deg klokken tre (if it's a plan).
Common Error Patterns
Using 'vil' for plans instead of 'skal'
Use 'skal' for concrete plans/arrangements; 'vil' for desires/wishes
Conjugating verb after modal
Verb after 'vil'/'skal' stays in infinitive form
Jeg vil reise til Paris.
I want to travel to Paris.
'vil' = want to (desire/wish)
Vi skal spise middag klokken seks.
We are going to have dinner at six o'clock.
'skal' = plan/arrangement (like 'going to')
Vil du ha mer kaffe?
Do you want more coffee?
Inverted 'vil' for question; 'vil ha' = want (to have)
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises