S-Passive in Norwegian

Overview

The S-Passive (S-passiv) is a B1-level grammar concept in Norwegian where a passive voice is formed by adding -s to the verb. This construction is distinct from the bli-passive and is one of the most characteristic features of Scandinavian languages. It turns an active sentence into a passive one without needing an auxiliary verb.

The s-passive is particularly common in formal writing, official language, signs, and general statements about how things are done. It emphasizes the action or process rather than the agent performing it. Understanding this form is essential for reading Norwegian regulations, instructions, and news, where the s-passive appears frequently.

Norwegian has three passive constructions: the s-passive (process/habitual), the bli-passive (action/change), and the være-passive (resulting state). At the B1 level, the s-passive is the first one to master, and it provides the foundation for understanding the others.

How It Works

Formation

Add -s to the verb form. The -s replaces the final -r in the present tense:

Active (present)	S-passive (present)	English
bygger	bygges	is (being) built
selger	selges	is (being) sold
stenger	stenges	is (being) closed
snakker	snakkes	is (being) spoken
lager	lages	is (being) made

S-passive across tenses

Tense	Active	S-passive	English
Present	selger	selges	is sold
Past (preteritum)	solgte	solgtes	was sold
Infinitive	selge	selges	(to) be sold

Note: The past tense s-passive (e.g., solgtes) is quite formal and literary. In practice, the bli-passive is preferred for past tense: ble solgt.

When to use the s-passive

Use	Example	English
General processes	Øl brygges av vann og malt.	Beer is brewed from water and malt.
Signs and notices	Døra stenges kl. 22.	The door closes at 10 PM.
Rules and regulations	Røyking forbys innendørs.	Smoking is forbidden indoors.
Habitual actions	Norsk snakkes i Norge.	Norwegian is spoken in Norway.
Recipes/instructions	Deigen eltes i 10 minutter.	The dough is kneaded for 10 minutes.

S-passive vs. reciprocal -s

Some verbs use -s for reciprocal meaning (not passive):

Verb	Meaning	Type
møtes	meet each other	Reciprocal
sees	see each other	Reciprocal
slåss	fight each other	Reciprocal
trives	thrive / feel comfortable	Deponent (always -s)
finnes	exist	Deponent (always -s)

Context distinguishes passive from reciprocal or deponent uses.

Examples in Context

Norwegian	English	Note
Huset bygges nå.	The house is being built now.	Ongoing process
Bilen ble solgt i går.	The car was sold yesterday.	Past tense uses bli-passive
Døra stenges kl. 22.	The door closes at 10 PM.	Sign/notice
Norsk snakkes her.	Norwegian is spoken here.	General statement
Billetter selges i kassen.	Tickets are sold at the counter.	Habitual/general
Det anbefales å bestille.	It's recommended to book.	Impersonal advice
Bygningen rives neste uke.	The building is being demolished next week.	Scheduled action
Maten serveres kl. 18.	Food is served at 6 PM.	Timetabled event
Boka leses av mange.	The book is read by many.	General process
Varene sendes i morgen.	The goods are shipped tomorrow.	Business language
Søknader mottas frem til 1. mai.	Applications are received until May 1.	Formal notice
Det snakkes mye om dette.	There is a lot of talk about this.	Impersonal s-passive

Common Mistakes

Using s-passive for single completed past events

• Wrong: Vinduet knustes i går.
• Right: Vinduet ble knust i går.
• Why: For specific past events with a clear agent or moment, Norwegian prefers the bli-passive. The s-passive is best for present-tense general statements, processes, and habitual actions.

Confusing s-passive with reciprocal verbs

• Wrong: Interpreting De møtes i morgen as "They are being met tomorrow."
• Right: De møtes i morgen means "They are meeting (each other) tomorrow."
• Why: Some -s verbs are reciprocal, not passive. Learn common reciprocal verbs (møtes, sees, treffes) separately.

Adding -s to verbs that already end in -s

• Wrong: Husess.
• Right: Huses. (is housed) -- only one -s is added.
• Why: The passive -s replaces the active ending; it does not stack on an existing -s.

Overusing s-passive in spoken Norwegian

• Wrong: Using s-passive extensively in casual conversation.
• Right: Use bli-passive or active voice in informal speech.
• Why: The s-passive sounds formal in spoken Norwegian. For everyday conversation, Bilen ble solgt is more natural than Bilen solgtes.

Usage Notes

The s-passive is characteristic of formal written Bokmål -- it is ubiquitous in laws, regulations, academic texts, official signs, and journalistic writing. In everyday spoken Norwegian, the bli-passive is strongly preferred for most situations. The s-passive in speech is mainly limited to fixed expressions and signs.

Some s-passive forms have become lexicalized with specialized meanings: det vises (it is shown), det finnes (there exists), det synes (it seems).

In Nynorsk, the s-passive is used similarly, though the -st ending is an alternative in some forms.

Practice Tips

• Collect examples from signs and notices. Norwegian public spaces are full of s-passive: Stenges kl. 22, Selges, Utleies. Photograph or note these and analyze them.
• Rewrite active sentences as s-passive. Take active sentences like De bygger et hus and convert: Et hus bygges. Practice with verbs from different conjugation classes.
• Compare passive forms. Write the same idea using s-passive, bli-passive, and active voice. Notice how the emphasis and register shift: Boka leses vs. Boka blir lest vs. Folk leser boka.

Related Concepts

• Present Tense - Parent concept
• Impersonal Constructions - Child concept
• Bli-Passive - Child concept
• Formal Written Style - Child concept