Norwegian –s Verbs:

What They Are and How They Work

Suggested by Carlo Jose.

In Norwegian, some verbs end in –s. These are called –s verbs, and they can look confusing at first — but they are actually quite simple once you understand what they do.

The –s ending usually shows that:

1. The action is passive

2. The action happens “by itself”

3. Nobody is doing the action (impersonal use)

4. It is part of a fixed expression

5. The verb describes a mutual action (each other)

Let’s go through them step by step.

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⭐ 1. Passive Meaning

Sometimes the –s form replaces the passive voice.

Examples:

• Døren åpnes klokka 09.
  The door is opened at 9.

• Boka selges i butikken.
  The book is sold in the store.

Here the verb tells you what happens, not who does it.

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⭐ 2. Actions That “Happen by Themselves”

Some verbs in –s describe actions that don’t need a doer.

Examples:

• Han trives i Norge.
  He enjoys living in Norway / He thrives in Norway.

• Det finnes mange dialekter her.
  There are many dialects here.
  (Literally: “It is found…”)

These verbs always end in –s. They do NOT have a form without –s.

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⭐ 3. Impersonal (Nobody Is the Actor)

The subject is not a person — or doesn’t matter.

Examples:

• Det sies at været blir bedre.
  It is said that the weather will improve.

• Det vises en film i kveld.
  A movie is being shown tonight.

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⭐ 4. Fixed Expressions

Some –s verbs are simply set phrases, and you must learn them as they are.

Common examples:

• takkes – to be thanked

• minnes – to be remembered

• skiftes – to be changed (medicine, diapers, clothes, etc.)

• oppleves – to be experienced / “feels like”

Example:

• Julen oppleves best sammen med familie.
  Christmas is best experienced with family.

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⭐ 5. Mutual Actions (Each Other)

Sometimes –s means “each other”.

Examples:

• De møtes hver helg.
  They meet each other every weekend.

• Vi ses!
  See you!

Here, the –s form replaces “each other.”

Typical Mistakes Students Make

❌ Jeg triver i Norge.

✔️ Jeg trives i Norge.

(trives ALWAYS has –s)

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❌ Det finne mange butikker.

✔️ Det finnes mange butikker.

(finnes never changes)

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❌ Vi se hverandre i morgen.

✔️ Vi ses i morgen.

(Natural, idiomatic Norwegian)

Mixed Practice: –s Verbs or Normal Verbs?

Fill in the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
Sometimes you need the –s form, sometimes you don’t.

1. Det ______ mange fine kafeer i byen.
   (finnes / finne)

2. Vi ______ hver fredag etter jobb.
   (møter / møtes)

3. Hun ______ veldig godt i Norge.
   (trives / triver)

4. Filmen ______ klokka 19 på kino.
   (vises / viser)

5. Han ______ ofte venner i helgene.
   (møter / møtes)

6. Døren ______ automatisk klokka 22.
   (lukkes / lukker)

7. Det ______ at bussene er forsinket i dag.
   (sies / sier)

8. De ______ om politikk hver gang de sees.
   (diskuterer / diskuteres)

9. Vi ______ i morgen klokka ti!
   (ses / ser)

10. Læreren ______ reglene for klassen.
    (forklarer / forklares)

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Answers

1. finnes

2. møtes

3. trives

4. vises

5. møter

6. lukkes

7. sies

8. diskuterer

9. ses

10. forklarer

Want more?

This — and much more — is explained step by step in my Norwegian verb book.

And if you like this article, please, restack, share, like and comment. Thank you for reading.

Next up: Norwegian Genitive: –s Ending or til?