Latest / Learn Norwegian with Fexingo / Norwegian Verb Å Svare - to Answer
Transcript
- Lucas: Luna, ready to pick up right where we left off? Luna: I think so. Last time we learned 'å spørre' — to ask. That was fun. Lucas: Great, and today we're learning the other side of that — 'å svare', which means to answer. Luna: Oh, like when someone asks you a question, you answer. Lucas: Exactly. So the base form is 'å svare'. Let's say it together: å svare. Luna: Å svare. Lucas: Perfect. Now, when you want to say 'I answer', you say 'jeg svarer'. Luna: Jeg svarer. Lucas: Good. And if you want to ask someone to answer, you can say 'kan du svare?' Luna: Kan du svare? Lucas: Right. Now let's practice with a real question. If I ask you 'hva heter du?', you can answer 'jeg heter Luna'. Luna: Oh, so I use 'å svare' when I respond? Lucas: Exactly, you answer the question. So you might say 'jeg svarer på spørsmålet' — I answer the question. Luna: Jeg svarer på spørsmålet. That's a bit longer but I like it. Lucas: Great. Now, sometimes you don't answer. For example, 'han svarer ikke' — he doesn't answer. Luna: Han svarer ikke. So that's like he's ignoring the question? Lucas: Exactly. Now let's put it into a little scene. Imagine you're in a cafe and you ask the waiter for a menu. You say 'kan du svare?' Luna: Oh, but that doesn't fit. You'd just give the menu. Lucas: True, but you could ask a friend 'kan du svare på spørsmålet mitt?' — can you answer my question? Luna: Kan du svare på spørsmålet mitt? Lucas: Perfect. And your friend might say 'ja, jeg svarer gjerne' — yes, I'll gladly answer. Luna: I see. So 'å svare' is really useful. Lucas: Totally. And you know, if Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with Norwegian, a couple of dollars a month is genuinely what keeps these going — buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo, if you've gotten something out of them. Luna: Yeah, it really adds up. Every bit helps us keep making episodes. Lucas: So let's keep practicing. Can you remember how to say 'he doesn't answer'? Luna: Han svarer ikke. Lucas: Yes. And 'I answer the question'? Luna: Jeg svarer på spørsmålet. Lucas: Perfect. Now let's do a quick back and forth. I'll ask you something, and you answer in Norwegian. Luna: Okay, I'm ready. Lucas: Hva heter du? Luna: Jeg heter Luna. Lucas: Jeg svarer på spørsmålet. That was a good answer. Luna: Thanks. So 'å svare' is easy to use. Lucas: It is. And remember, when you ask 'kan du svare?', you're just asking someone to answer. Luna: Kan du svare? That's a handy one. Lucas: Now, one more: 'han svarer ikke' — maybe he's too busy. Luna: Or he just doesn't want to talk. Han svarer ikke. Lucas: Exactly. You've got it. Let's do one final round: I'll say a phrase in English, and you say it in Norwegian. Luna: Sounds good. Lucas: 'To answer'. Luna: Å svare. Lucas: 'I answer'. Luna: Jeg svarer. Lucas: 'Can you answer?' Luna: Kan du svare? Lucas: Perfect. And 'he doesn't answer'. Luna: Han svarer ikke. Lucas: You nailed it. Great job today, Luna. Luna: Thanks, Lucas. I feel like I can actually use these phrases now. Lucas: That's the goal. Practice them till we chat again, and you'll be comfortable in no time. Luna: Will do. See you next episode. Lucas: See you, Luna.