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NORWEGIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Norwegian word of the day: Nettopp

Whether something has just happened or you want to confirm something, this word has a number of uses.

The Norwegian word of the day, nettopp, displayed on a chalkboard with a Norwegian flag in the background.
Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash and Nicolas Raymond/FlickR

What does it mean? 

Nettopp can be roughly translated into “just” or “exactly”. However, it has several uses where the context of what it means can change. 

For example, it can refer to time. It can mean that you have just done something. You may have only just sat down after a long day. Or you may have just put in an offer for your dream home as it refers to something that has already happened but recently. It is similar to the English expression “just a moment ago”. 

An example would be jeg var nettopp der ( I was just there). 

It can also be used as a confirmation. If somebody asks you a question, you can use nettopp to reply. This would be the same as using words like “precisely” or “exactly” in English. 

In many cases, it can be used interchangeably with akkurat. However, there are some instances where one may be more precise than the other to use. 

When referring to something happening right now, it is typically more suitable to use akkurat; for example, akkurat nå regner det (right now it is raining). 

While you can use nettop as a confirmation similar to saying “exactly” in English, if you wish to be more precise, you will need to use akkurat. As an example, bussen går akkurat klokka tolv (the bus leaves at exactly 12). 

Use it like this 

Jeg har nettopp lagt inn et bud på et hus!

I have just put in an offer on an house!

Jeg har nettopp hentet inn ved til peisen. 

I have just gotten wood for the fireplace. 

Så jeg trenger bare å ta med meg en sovepose? 

Lasse: Nettopp! 

Jens: So I just need to bring a sleeping bag? 

Lasse: Exactly!

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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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