Language/Norwegian-bokmal/Grammar/Modal-verbs

Norwegian Bokmål → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Modal verbs

Welcome to this exciting lesson on modal verbs in Norwegian Bokmål! Modal verbs are essential in any language, as they help express necessity, possibility, permission, and ability. Understanding how to use these verbs correctly will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Norwegian.

Why Modal Verbs Matter

In Norwegian, modal verbs are used to modify the meaning of the main verb in a sentence. They can convey different shades of meaning, such as whether something is allowed, possible, or necessary. Learning to use these verbs correctly will allow you to express yourself more naturally and accurately.

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction to Modal Verbs

2. Types of Modal Verbs

• Ability

• Permission

• Obligation

• Possibility

3. Examples of Modal Verbs

4. Practice Exercises

5. Conclusion

Introduction to Modal Verbs

Modal verbs in Norwegian Bokmål include "kan" (can), "vil" (will), "må" (must), "skal" (shall), and "bør" (should). Each of these verbs serves a unique purpose and can change the meaning of a sentence significantly. Let’s dive deeper into each of these verbs, along with examples to illustrate their use.

Types of Modal Verbs

Ability

"Kan" (can) is used to express ability.

Norwegian Bokmål	Pronunciation	English
Jeg kan svømme.	[jæi kɑn svømːə]	I can swim.
Du kan spille piano.	[du kɑn ˈspɪlːə pjaːnʊ]	You can play the piano.
Han kan lese.	[hɑn kɑn ˈleːsə]	He can read.
Vi kan danse.	[vi kɑn ˈdɑnːsə]	We can dance.
De kan snakke norsk.	[di kɑn ˈsnɑkːə nɔʂk]	They can speak Norwegian.

Permission

"Kan" (can) is also used to ask for or give permission.

Norwegian Bokmål	Pronunciation	English
Kan jeg gå nå?	[kɑn jæi gɔː nɔː]	Can I go now?
Du kan ta en pause.	[du kɑn tɑː ɛn pɑʊsə]	You can take a break.
Kan vi se filmen?	[kɑn vi seː ˈfɪlmən]	Can we watch the movie?
Kan hun bruke telefonen?	[kɑn hʉn ˈbrʉːkə tɛlɛˌfɔnən]	Can she use the phone?
Kan de komme inn?	[kɑn di ˈkɔmːə ɪn]	Can they come in?

Obligation

"Må" (must) expresses necessity or obligation.

Norwegian Bokmål	Pronunciation	English
Jeg må gjøre leksene.	[jæi mɔː ˈjøːrə ˈlɛksənə]	I must do the homework.
Du må spise.	[du mɔː ˈspiːsə]	You must eat.
Han må jobbe.	[hɑn mɔː ˈjɔbːə]	He must work.
Vi må dra nå.	[vi mɔː drɑː nɔː]	We must leave now.
De må følge reglene.	[di mɔː ˈfœlːə ˈreːɡlənə]	They must follow the rules.

Possibility

"Kan" (can) is often used to express possibility.

Norwegian Bokmål	Pronunciation	English
Det kan regne i morgen.	[deː kɑn ˈræiːnə i ˈmɔːrən]	It can rain tomorrow.
Du kan bli syk.	[du kɑn bliː syk]	You can get sick.
Det kan være interessant.	[deː kɑn ˈvæːrə ɪntəˈrɛsːɑŋt]	It can be interesting.
Vi kan se solnedgangen.	[vi kɑn seː ˈsuːlˌnɛdːɑŋən]	We can see the sunset.
De kan komme til festen.	[di kɑn ˈkɔmːə tɪl ˈfɛstən]	They can come to the party.

Willingness

"Vil" (will) expresses a desire or willingness to do something.

Norwegian Bokmål	Pronunciation	English
Jeg vil ha is.	[jæi vɪl hɑː ˈiːs]	I will have ice cream.
Du vil reise til Norge.	[du vɪl ˈræɪsə tɪl ˈnɔrɡə]	You will travel to Norway.
Hun vil bli lege.	[hʉn vɪl bliː ˈleːɡə]	She will become a doctor.
Vi vil spille fotball.	[vi vɪl ˈspɪlːə ˈfuːtˌbɑl]	We will play football.
De vil se på TV.	[di vɪl seː pɔː ˈteːˌvæ]	They will watch TV.

Suggestion

"Bør" (should) expresses a suggestion or recommendation.

Norwegian Bokmål	Pronunciation	English
Du bør spise grønnsaker.	[du bœːr ˈspiːsə ˈɡrœnˌsɑːkər]	You should eat vegetables.
Jeg bør trene mer.	[jæi bœːr ˈtreːnə mɛːr]	I should train more.
Han bør lese boken.	[hɑn bœːr ˈleːsə ˈbuːkən]	He should read the book.
Vi bør dra tidlig.	[vi bœːr drɑː ˈtiːlɪɡ]	We should leave early.
De bør følge med i timen.	[di bœːr ˈfœlːə mɛːd i ˈtiːmən]	They should pay attention in class.

Practice Exercises

Now that we've explored modal verbs in detail, let's put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to help you practice what you've learned.

1. Translate the following sentences into Norwegian Bokmål using the correct modal verb:

• I can speak Norwegian.

• You must eat lunch.

• She will travel to Oslo.

• We should help him.

• They can play outside.

Solutions:

1. Jeg kan snakke norsk.

2. Du må spise lunsj.

3. Hun vil reise til Oslo.

4. Vi bør hjelpe ham.

5. De kan leke ute.

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb (kan, vil, må, skal, bør):

• Jeg ___ gå nå. (I ___ go now.)

• Du ___ spise middag. (You ___ eat dinner.)

• Han ___ ikke sove. (He ___ not sleep.)

• Vi ___ dra til stranden. (We ___ go to the beach.)

• De ___ gjøre leksene. (They ___ do the homework.)

Solutions:

1. Jeg kan gå nå.

2. Du må spise middag.

3. Han kan ikke sove.

4. Vi skal dra til stranden.

5. De må gjøre leksene.

3. Change the following sentences to express a different modality:

• I must study. (Change to express possibility)

• You should call her. (Change to express obligation)

• He can swim. (Change to express willingness)

• We will go shopping. (Change to express permission)

• They must finish their work. (Change to express suggestion)

Solutions:

1. I can study.

2. You must call her.

3. He will swim.

4. We can go shopping.

5. They should finish their work.

4. Create your own sentences using the modal verbs provided:

• Kan (can)

• Vil (will)

• Må (must)

• Skal (shall)

• Bør (should)

Example Answers:

1. Jeg kan danse.

2. Du vil se filmen.

3. Han må gå til legen.

4. Vi skal spille fotball.

5. De bør lese mer.

5. Identify the modal verb in the following sentences:

• Jeg må gå.

• Du kan komme.

• Hun skal jobbe.

• Vi vil besøke besteforeldrene.

• De bør ta bussen.

Solutions:

1. må

2. kan

3. skal

4. vil

5. bør

6. Choose the correct modal verb for each sentence:

• Jeg ___ (kan/må) hjelpe deg.

• Du ___ (bør/vil) spise frokost.

• Han ___ (kan/må) gå til butikken.

• Vi ___ (skal/bør) dra til kinoen.

• De ___ (vil/må) komme til festen.

Solutions:

1. kan

2. bør

3. kan

4. skal

5. vil

7. Match the modal verbs with their meanings:

• Kan

• Må

• Vil

• Skal

• Bør

Meanings:

• a) Must

• b) Can

• c) Should

• d) Will

• e) Shall

Solutions:

• Kan - b) Can

• Må - a) Must

• Vil - d) Will

• Skal - e) Shall

• Bør - c) Should

8. Rewrite the sentences using the opposite modal verb:

• Jeg kan gjøre det. (I can do it.)

• Du må bli her. (You must stay here.)

• Han vil spille. (He will play.)

• Vi skal dra nå. (We shall leave now.)

• De bør komme. (They should come.)

Solutions:

1. Jeg kan ikke gjøre det.

2. Du må ikke bli her.

3. Han vil ikke spille.

4. Vi skal ikke dra nå.

5. De bør ikke komme.

9. Complete the sentences with the appropriate modal verb:

• Jeg ___ (must/can) gå til skolen.

• Du ___ (should/can) ta med deg boken.

• Han ___ (will/must) reise i morgen.

• Vi ___ (shall/can) være der klokka fem.

• De ___ (should/must) gjøre det nå.

Solutions:

1. Jeg må gå til skolen.

2. Du bør ta med deg boken.

3. Han vil reise i morgen.

4. Vi skal være der klokka fem.

5. De må gjøre det nå.

10. Translate the following sentences to Norwegian Bokmål:

• I can help you.

• You must finish your homework.

• She will study Norwegian.

• We should go now.

• They can play together.

Solutions:

1. Jeg kan hjelpe deg.

2. Du må fullføre leksene dine.

3. Hun vil studere norsk.

4. Vi bør gå nå.

5. De kan spille sammen.

Conclusion

Modal verbs are a crucial part of mastering Norwegian Bokmål. By understanding how to use "kan," "vil," "må," "skal," and "bør," you can express abilities, permissions, obligations, and suggestions with greater confidence. Keep practicing, and soon you'll find that using these verbs becomes second nature!

As you continue your journey in learning Norwegian, remember that practice is key. Don't hesitate to revisit this lesson and the exercises provided. Good luck!

Table of Contents - Norwegian Bokmål Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Norwegian Bokmål

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Gender and Definite Articles
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Coordinating Conjunctions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Question Words
• Negation

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Expressing Emotions

  ---

Norwegian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Etiquette and Social Norms

Other Lessons

• Formal writing and communication
• Infinitive and present participle forms
• 0 to A1 Course
• Future Tense
• Relative clauses
• Past tense verbs
• Indirect speech
• Questions
• Present tense verbs