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NORWEGIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Norwegian expression of the day: Ut på tur aldri sur

This one can be used to remind yourself to make the most of the outdoors, even if the Norwegian weather isn't playing ball.

Norwegian expression of the day: Ut på tur aldri sur
This one is perfect for when you get caught in the rain while out and about. Photo by Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Why do I need to know this expression?

Ut på tur aldri sur is an expression that anyone and everyone can and will say. Your teacher, your co-worker, and maybe even your child you just picked up from preschool. Yes, ut på tur aldri sur is a popular Norwegian expression. But it’s also used to describe a state of mind.

What does it mean?

Directly translated, ut på tur aldri sur means, “out on a trip, never sour”. It’s often used to get into the right mood and mindset if you’re about to head out for a long trip to the great outdoors, and the conditions aren’t ideal. For example, if you’re packing up to go for a long hike and see grey clouds on the horizon, you would look at your hiking partner and say, “ut på tur aldri sur”. Or when you’re on a long cross country ski trip and need to be reminded of your beautiful surroundings instead of the pain in your legs, you would tell yourself, “ut på tur aldri sur“.

From a young age, children in Norway are taught ut på tur aldri sur when they are outside doing activities and reminded that they shouldn’t complain over small discomforts. It’s pretty much an expression used by Norwegians to remind each other that they can thrive under any weather condition, so that one can always be in a good mood if they are out in nature.

Use it like this

Ut på tur aldri sur can also be used sarcastically. For example, if you are outside walking and get caught in a massive rainstorm. The situation you got caught in is clearly not fun. You can then look at your fellow rain-drenched friend and sarcastically toss out the ut på tur aldri sur expression.

You can also use it in a sing-songy way. Ut på tur aldri sur rhymes in Norwegian. And you’ll often hear someone from an older generation sing the expression at the start of an outdoor hike. It’s almost like a gentle reminder that they will make the best of the situation, no matter what happens.

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NORWEGIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Norwegian word of the day: Middelmådig

Given that Norwegians don’t like to kick up too much of a fuss, they sometimes settle for less.

Norwegian word of the day: Middelmådig

What does it mean?

Middelmådig is the Norwegian word for mediocre. The word is borrowed from Danish, but this should come as no surprise.

Swedish, Danish and Norwegian are considered mutually intelligible, meaning users of the languages should be able to understand one another.

Norwegian, particularly, borrows plenty of words from Swedish and Danish. This was due to the country’s various historical unions with the other two nations.

This led to a large influence of Swedish and Danish on the Norwegian language, as Norway was typically the poorer and less influential country.

Things have changed these days , and the countries stand on a more even footing with one another, mostly thanks to oil. Still, the impact of Swedish and Danish has remained, despite various movements to make the language moreNorwegian

Back to the word middelmådig, Norwegians typically don’t like confrontation. Therefore, some may settle for mediocrity. This is most likely to happen at a restaurant when the food isn’t totally awful (helt dårlig), but it’s not great – or arrived colder than it was meant to. 

The word isn’t used just for mediocrity. It directly translates to the middle level or middle strength. Therefore, you can use the word to describe being adequate at something. In this sense, you would “være middelmådig begavet,” or “be moderately gifted” when translated to English.

Use it like this:

Mine fotballferdigheter er middelmådige.

My football skills are mediocre.

Kunnskapen min om dette emnet er middelmådig.

My knowledge of this subject is mediocre.

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