Some people are surprised at the fact that Norwegians do not use as many polite phrases as people do in other languages. Norwegians don’t even use a direct equivalent of the English “please”. However, when it comes to giving thanks in different contexts, the Norwegian language has a lot to offer! We will take a look at different situations in which you can say “thank you” in Norwegian.
The most common ways to say “Thank you” in Norwegian
Takk! – the most common way to thank others. You may use it to thank a seller in a shop or thank someone who gave you a compliment, for example. It is also a common courtesy to use it in answers “Ja takk” (“Yes, thanks”) or “Nei takk” (“No, thanks”).
Tusen takk! – literally it is translated as “Thousand thanks!”. It sounds a bit more friendly and enthusiastic than just “Takk!“.
Takk skal du ha! – literally it is translated as “Thanks will you have”. When you feel that simple “Takk” won’t be enough, use “Takk skal du ha“.
Mange takk! – translated as “Many thanks!” this form is not as common nowadays, but you can still hear people use it.
Takk for hjelpen! – it translates as “Thanks for the help” and obviously you use it when thanking someone for their help. The common answer to that would be “Bare hyggelig” – “Just nice (to help)” or “Ingen årsak” – “No reason (to thank for that)”.
Tusen hjertelig takk! – “Thousand cordial thanks”. It may sound slightly exaggerated and it is not as common. You would use this one when you want to thank someone deeply for a good favor or, perhaps, a gift.
“Thanks” in different social situations
Takk for maten! – “Thank you for the food”. It is a must to thank for the food when visiting someone. You would say it when the plates are cleared from the table or when you are going to leave the table.
Takk for sist! – “Thank you for the last time”. It may sound strange, but this phrase is very common to say to someone you have met before. In this way, you acknowledge your meeting and say it was a pleasant one. You may respond to it with “I like måte” – “The same”.
Takk for meg! – is translated as “Thanks for me” and it is to be understood as “Thanks for having me here”. If you are invited as a guest somewhere and would like to leave, use this phrase. Alternatively, you can say “Takk for invitasjonen” (“Thanks for the invitation). The host would respond with “Takk for besøket!” (“Thanks for the visit”).
Takk for i dag! – “Thanks for today”. If you work in Norway, you may hear this one from your colleagues all the time. It implies “I am leaving now, thanks for your company/work/conversation today”. It is appropriate to use it in a situation when you spend some time with people and you have some sort of social bond with them (like with your colleagues at work or students in a class). Don’t use it in a shop or other situations when you interact with people briefly or strictly professionally.
Takk for nå! – “Thanks for now”. Similarly to “Takk for i dag”, you can use it with someone you know a bit better and have some sort of social connection to.
å takke ja / å takke nei – these two can be translated as “to accept” and “to decline” something, “say yes or no” to an offer.
Do not use this one!
Takk for alt! – “Thanks for everything”. This phrase is used at the funerals as a farewell to the deceased.