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NORWEGIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Norwegian phrase of the day: Å møte veggen

This phrase will help you express yourself to your friends and collogues when times are tough.

Norwegian phrase of the day: Å møte veggen
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Why do I need to know this expression?

Å møte veggen is a Norwegian expression commonly used when describing times of mental or emotional distress. Knowing this expression will be useful if you’re ever trying to explain to your boss or colleagues that you are experiencing symptoms of exhaustion.

It is also useful to know so you can understand if a local is trying to explain to you a stressful period in their life. 

The phrase “å møte veggen”  is used in both professional and personal settings as well as in the media. 

What does it mean?

Directly translated,  Å møte veggen means “to hit the wall”.  If you have experienced a high amount of stress for an extended period of time, then you may feel like you’ve hit a wall. Å møte veggen can describe physical exhaustion. Though it is most often used to describe mental exhaustion. If you tell someone you have hit the wall in Norwegian, then they will likely understand you need a rest and possibly time away to recharge. 

Norwegian synonyms

Utbrenthet – burned out 

Slitenhet – tiredness 

Use it like this 

Hvordan kan du vite at du nærmer deg å møte veggen? How do you know you’re getting close to hitting the wall?

Symptomene og tegnene på at du har møtt veggen – Symptoms and signs that you have hit the wall 

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For members

NORWEGIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Norwegian word of the day: Påske 

Today's Norwegian word of the day is one you have probably heard a lot in recent weeks, but you probably don't recognise it from English. 

Norwegian word of the day: Påske 

What is påske?

Påske is the Norwegian word for Easter. The word may be more recognisable if you speak another European language. 

Unlike in English, but like other Norwegian words for festivals, months, and weekdays, it isn’t capitalised. 

It’s a relative of French Pâques, Italian Pasqua, Spanish Pascua, Romanian Paşti and Dutch Pasen, to name a few.

These words all date back to the Greek word Πάσχα (Pascha), which is linked to the Hebrew word Pesach, meaning “to pass over”. The word pascha was adopted by Latin as the name of the Christian holiday, which became páskar in Old Norse. 

Why do I need to know påske?

Although the English name Easter has a different origin (from Ēostre, the name of a goddess linked with springtime), you will still find relatives of påsk in English dialects, including Pace in Scotland and northeastern England and Pask in Cornish.

So now that you know where the word comes from, how to use it? 

Happy Easter is god påske, and you will also find it in lots of festive compound words: påskeferien (the Easter holiday), påskeværet (the Easter weather), påskeåpne (open over Easter), påskeegg (Easter egg), påskepynt (Easter decorations). 

Example

Påskeharen har lagt et påskeegg

The Easter Bunny has left an egg. 

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