The verb 'to be' (å være): present tense 'er' is the same for all persons — no conjugation needed
Can use 'er' correctly with all pronouns to express nationality, profession, and state
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg er norsk og han er tysk.
I am Norwegian and he is German.
Hun er lege og vi er sykepleiere.
She is a doctor and we are nurses.
Er du trøtt? Nei, jeg er ikke trøtt.
Are you tired? No, I am not tired.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The verb å være (to be) is very simple in Norwegian: the present tense form er is used with ALL pronouns!
| Pronoun | Present | Example |
|---|---|---|
| jeg | er | Jeg er student. |
| du | er | Du er a teacher. |
| han/hun | er | Han er Norwegian. |
| vi | er | Vi er from Norway. |
| dere | er | Dere er students. |
| de | er | De er friends. |
Uses: nationality, profession (no article!), feelings, location.
Infinitive: å være | Present: er | Past: var
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesIncorrectly conjugates 'er' (e.g., says 'jeg er / han erer')
Norwegian 'er' is the same for all persons. Only one form needed in present tense.
Drops 'er' in sentences (Russian/Czech interference)
Norwegian always requires 'er' — unlike Russian where 'to be' is dropped. 'Jeg er student' NOT 'Jeg student'.
Adds article after er for professions (e.g., 'hun er en lege')
Professions after 'er' take no article: 'hun er lege', not 'hun er en lege'.
Jeg er norsk og han er tysk.
I am Norwegian and he is German.
'Er' is used with both 'jeg' and 'han' — no change. Norwegian does not conjugate 'to be' by person.
Hun er lege og vi er sykepleiere.
She is a doctor and we are nurses.
Professions: no article needed after 'er' for professions in Norwegian.
Er du trøtt? Nei, jeg er ikke trøtt.
Are you tired? No, I am not tired.
Question: verb 'er' moves to front. Negation: 'ikke' comes after 'er'.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises