Expressing Likes and Preferences in Norwegian

Overview

Talking about what you enjoy, love, or prefer is one of the first practical skills in any language. Norwegian offers several verbs for this purpose, each with its own nuance: "å like" (to like), "å elske" (to love), "å foretrekke" (to prefer), and the expression "å synes om" (to think well of). Unlike English, Norwegian uses "å like" with a direct object or an infinitive construction, and there is no equivalent of the English "-ing" form after these verbs.

This is an A1 concept that builds on Present Tense. All preference verbs follow standard present-tense conjugation with the -r ending. The main learning task is understanding which constructions each verb takes and the subtle differences in meaning between them.

Mastering these expressions early opens up natural conversation immediately. Norwegians often bond over shared interests, and "liker du...?" (do you like...?) is one of the most common question patterns in everyday interaction.

How It Works

The Core Verbs

Verb	Meaning	Strength
å like	to like	moderate positive
å elske	to love	strong positive
å foretrekke	to prefer	comparative
å hate	to hate	strong negative
å misliker	to dislike	moderate negative

Å Like (to like)

The most versatile preference verb. It can take a noun (direct object) or "å" + infinitive.

Pattern	Norwegian	English
like + noun	Jeg liker sjokolade.	I like chocolate.
like + å + verb	Jeg liker å lese.	I like to read.
like + best	Jeg liker sommeren best.	I like summer the best.

Important: Norwegian does not use a gerund (-ing form). Always use "å" + infinitive:

• English: I like reading. → Norwegian: Jeg liker å lese. (not lesing)

Å Elske (to love)

Stronger than "å like." Used for both people and activities.

Norwegian	English
Jeg elsker deg.	I love you.
Hun elsker å danse.	She loves to dance.
Vi elsker pizza.	We love pizza.

Å Foretrekke (to prefer)

Used to express a preference between options. Often paired with "fremfor" (over/rather than).

Norwegian	English
Jeg foretrekker te fremfor kaffe.	I prefer tea over coffee.
Han foretrekker å gå.	He prefers to walk.

Asking About Preferences

Norwegian	English	Context
Liker du kaffe?	Do you like coffee?	Yes/no question (V1)
Hva liker du å gjøre?	What do you like to do?	Open question
Liker du best sommer eller vinter?	Do you prefer summer or winter?	Choice question
Hva slags musikk liker du?	What kind of music do you like?	Specific category

Expressing Degrees

Norwegian	English
Jeg liker det veldig godt.	I like it very much.
Jeg liker det litt.	I like it a little.
Jeg liker det ikke så godt.	I don't like it that much.
Jeg liker det ikke i det hele tatt.	I don't like it at all.

Negative Preferences

Norwegian	English
Jeg liker ikke fisk.	I don't like fish.
Hun hater å vente.	She hates to wait.
Vi liker ikke å stå opp tidlig.	We don't like to get up early.

Note the word order: "ikke" comes directly after the verb in main clauses.

Examples in Context

Norwegian	English	Note
Jeg liker sjokolade.	I like chocolate.	Simple noun object
Hun elsker å lese bøker.	She loves to read books.	å + infinitive
Liker du kaffe?	Do you like coffee?	Yes/no question
Jeg liker sommeren best.	I like summer the best.	Superlative preference
Vi foretrekker å ta bussen.	We prefer to take the bus.	Formal preference
Han liker ikke å trene.	He doesn't like to exercise.	Negative + infinitive
Hva liker du å gjøre på fritida?	What do you like to do in free time?	Open question
Jeg elsker norsk mat!	I love Norwegian food!	Enthusiastic
De liker seg i Norge.	They enjoy themselves in Norway.	Reflexive "like seg"
Barna liker å leke ute.	The children like to play outside.	å + infinitive
Jeg liker det veldig godt her.	I like it very much here.	Degree expression
Hun foretrekker te fremfor kaffe.	She prefers tea over coffee.	Comparison

Common Mistakes

Using a gerund instead of infinitive

• Wrong: Jeg liker lesing. (trying to say "I like reading")
• Right: Jeg liker å lese.
• Why: Norwegian does not use gerund forms after preference verbs. Always use "å" + infinitive.

Forgetting "å" before the infinitive

• Wrong: Jeg liker lese.
• Right: Jeg liker å lese.
• Why: The infinitive marker "å" is required between the preference verb and the following verb. It cannot be omitted.

Wrong placement of "ikke"

• Wrong: Jeg ikke liker fisk.
• Right: Jeg liker ikke fisk.
• Why: In main clauses, "ikke" follows the verb. Norwegian has strict V2 word order: subject-verb-negation.

Confusing "like" with "like seg"

• Wrong: Jeg liker i Norge. (trying to say "I enjoy it in Norway")
• Right: Jeg liker meg i Norge.
• Why: To express enjoying a place or situation, use the reflexive "like seg": "Jeg liker meg i Norge." Without "seg/meg/deg," "like" needs a direct object.

Usage Notes

"Å like" is informal and universally used. "Å foretrekke" is slightly more formal and typically appears in writing or careful speech. "Å elske" is used freely for things and activities (not only for romantic love, as in some languages).

The expression "å synes om" (to have an opinion about, to think well of) adds nuance: "Hva synes du om filmen?" (What do you think of the movie?) is a common way to ask for an opinion rather than a simple like/dislike.

In casual Norwegian, "digg" (awesome/delicious) and "kult" (cool) are common informal ways to express that you like something.

Practice Tips

1. Make a personal likes/dislikes list. Write ten things you like and five you dislike using "Jeg liker..." and "Jeg liker ikke..." This creates immediately useful vocabulary tied to your real life.

2. Practice asking preference questions. With a language partner, take turns asking "Liker du...?" and "Hva foretrekker du?" questions. This builds conversational flow around preferences.

3. Listen for "liker" in Norwegian media. In podcasts and shows, note how Norwegians express preferences — you will hear "liker," "elsker," and "synes om" frequently, reinforcing natural usage patterns.

Related Concepts

• Parent: Present Tense — preference verbs follow standard present-tense conjugation
• Related: Expressing Need and Want — another set of everyday expressions for communicating desires