It has been fun learning Norwegian. Learning a language is always hard, but for me already knowing more or less three Germanic languages, it is not the hardest language to learn. This means that I’ve been able to make good progress without taking a course (although I should ofc!)
Sayings I think are especially fun, and there are plenty of similarities between Norwegian and Dutch in that respect. Here are ten of my favourites.
| Norwegian | Dutch | Meaning |
| Kjøpe katten i sekken | Een kat in de zak kopen | To be deceived/disppointed in a deal |
| Å gå over bekken etter vann (cross the stream for water) | Water naar de zee dragen | Doing something unesesarily |
| Å slå to fluer i en smekk | Twee vliegen in één klap slaan | To kill two birds with one stone (to achieve two things at once with a single action) |
| å stå med skjegget i postkassa. (To stand with your beard in the postbox) | Met de gebakken peren zitten | To be caught in a bad situation, often due to one’s own mistake. |
| Ikke skogen for bare trær | Door de bomen het bos niet meer zien | Losing track of the bigger picture |
| Når katten er borte, danser musene på bordet | Als de kat van huis is, dansen de muizen op tafel | When the cat’s away, the mice will play (people will behave more freely or misbehave when there’s no authority figure around) |
| Man skal ikke se en gavehest i munnen | Een gegeven paard moet je niet in de bek kijken | Don’t look a gifted horse in the mouth (be grateful for gifts and don’t criticize them) |
| Dråpen som får begeret til å renne over | De druppel die de emmer doet overlopen | A small final event that causes everything to collapse or for someone to lose their patience |
| Å svelge noen kameler | Zichzelf over iets heen zetten | To compromise on something |
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