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C1 verb 11 دقيقة للقراءة

tilstå

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح tilstå في 30 ثانية

الشرح tilstå in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'tilstå' often, but you might hear it in very simple stories or movies. Think of it as a 'big secret' word. If you broke a toy and want to tell your mom, you might say 'Jeg må tilstå'. However, at this level, most people just use 'si' (say) or 'fortelle' (tell). You should recognize that 'tilstå' means telling the truth about something you did wrong. The most important thing is to know it's a verb for being honest about a mistake. You can remember it as 'to-stand' by the truth. Even though it's a C1 word, the concept is simple: telling a secret guilt. For example, 'Jeg tilstår!' (I confess!). It is more formal than 'unnskyld' (sorry). It is a word you learn early to understand dramas or crime shows on TV.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more specific verbs. 'Tilstå' is a great word to add to your vocabulary for describing situations where someone is being honest about a mistake. You can use it in simple past tense: 'Han tilstod.' (He confessed). You might use it when talking about a movie you watched: 'Tyven tilstod til slutt.' (The thief confessed in the end). It is important to notice that it is stronger than 'innrømme' (admit). At A2, you should focus on the present tense 'tilstår' and the basic meaning of admitting a fault. You can use it with 'at' (that) to make longer sentences: 'Jeg må tilstå at jeg er trøtt.' (I must confess that I am tired). This is a common way to use the word in a slightly funny or exaggerated way in daily life.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you should begin to distinguish between different types of admissions. 'Tilstå' should be used primarily for serious matters. You are now expected to know the principal parts of the verb: tilstå, tilstår, tilstod, har tilstått. You should also learn the noun form 'en tilståelse' (a confession). In your writing, you can use 'tilstå' to add weight to a story. For example, 'Da han ble konfrontert med bevisene, hadde han ikke annet valg enn å tilstå.' (When confronted with the evidence, he had no other choice but to confess). You should also be aware of the preposition 'for' when confessing to someone: 'tilstå for politiet'. This is a common point where B1 students make mistakes by using 'til'. Practice using it in both legal and personal contexts to see the difference in tone.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you should use 'tilstå' with confidence in formal and informal contexts. You should understand the nuance between 'tilstå', 'innrømme', and 'erkjenne'. 'Tilstå' is for the act of admitting guilt, whereas 'erkjenne' is often used for acknowledging a state or a fact in a more formal setting. You should be able to discuss legal topics using this word, such as 'tilståelsesrabatt' (sentence reduction for confessing). You can also use it in more abstract ways, like 'tilstå sine feil' (confess one's mistakes) in a professional setting to show accountability. Your grammar should be solid, especially the strong verb conjugation 'tilstod'. You should also be able to use the word in the passive voice or with complex modal structures: 'Forbrytelsen burde ha blitt tilstått med en gang.'

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, 'tilstå' is a tool for precision. You understand that it carries a specific weight of culpability and revelation. You use it to distinguish between a simple admission (innrømme) and a significant confession of guilt or a hidden truth. You are familiar with legal expressions like 'uforbeholden tilståelse' and can use the word in high-level academic or literary analysis. You recognize the historical and moral connotations of the word, linking it to the concept of 'bekjennelse'. You can use the word reflexively in legal phrases like 'tilstå seg skyldig'. Your use of the word is natural, and you avoid common pitfalls like using the wrong preposition. You can also use the word ironically or for rhetorical effect in sophisticated speech. You understand the psychological aspect of 'tilståelse' as a relief of conscience.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'tilstå' and its place in the Norwegian language. You can use it to navigate complex legal, psychological, and philosophical discussions. You understand the finest nuances between 'tilstå', 'vedgå', 'innrømme', and 'erkjenne' and choose the exact word for the desired tone and legal implication. You can analyze the use of 'tilstå' in classical Norwegian literature (like Ibsen or Hamsun) and discuss how the concept of confession has evolved in Norwegian society. You are also aware of the word's etymology and its relation to other Germanic languages. In your own writing and speech, the word is used with perfect grammatical accuracy and perfect sensitivity to register. You can use it in highly idiomatic ways and understand how it functions as a narrative device in storytelling.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

tilstå في 30 ثانية

Tilstå means to confess or admit something serious, often a crime or a deep secret.
It is a strong verb: tilstår (present), tilstod (past), har tilstått (perfect).
It is more formal and heavy than the common synonym 'innrømme'.
In legal contexts, it refers to a formal admission of guilt which can lead to sentence reduction.

The Norwegian verb tilstå is a powerful and evocative word that primarily translates to "to confess" or "to admit" in English. While it shares some semantic territory with the more common word innrømme, tilstå carries a heavier, often more formal or legal weight. It is the word you use when the truth being revealed is significant, burdensome, or carries consequences. In a legal context, it refers to the formal admission of guilt regarding a crime. In personal relationships, it suggests a vulnerability or the revealing of a long-held secret that the speaker has been carrying.

Legal Context: In the Norwegian judicial system, to tilstå means to provide a 'tilståelse' (confession). This is a formal statement where a suspect admits to the facts of a criminal charge. It is often a prerequisite for a 'tilståelsesdom' (confession judgment), which can lead to a reduced sentence.
Personal Revelations: Outside the courtroom, the word is used for emotional admissions. If you have been hiding your feelings for someone or if you did something wrong that has been weighing on your conscience, you might say, 'Jeg må tilstå noe.' It implies a transition from secrecy to transparency.
Religious and Moral Nuance: Historically, the word is linked to the act of 'bekjennelse' (confession of sins). While bekjenne is more common in religious liturgy, tilstå retains that sense of moral unburdening.

Etter flere timer i avhør valgte den siktede endelig å tilstå tyveriet.

Translation: After several hours of interrogation, the accused finally chose to confess to the theft.

To use tilstå correctly, one must understand that it is a strong verb (stert verb). In the present tense, it is tilstår; in the past tense, tilstod; and in the perfect tense, har tilstått. Unlike 'innrømme', which can be used for trivial things (like admitting you like a certain pop song), tilstå usually demands a context of gravity. If you use it for something minor, it often comes across as hyperbolic or humorous, such as 'Jeg må tilstå at jeg spiste den siste sjokoladen' (I must confess that I ate the last chocolate).

Jeg må tilstå at jeg aldri har lest den boken, selv om jeg sa jeg hadde det.

Translation: I must confess that I have never read that book, even though I said I had.

In modern Norwegian, you will frequently encounter this word in news headlines regarding criminal proceedings. Journalists use it to describe when a politician admits to a scandal or when a criminal admits to a deed. It is a word that signals a turning point in a narrative. When someone 'tilstår', the mystery ends and the process of consequence or forgiveness begins. It is rarely used for positive admissions; you wouldn't 'tilstå' that you won the lottery, but you would 'tilstå' that you cheated to win it.

Register and Tone: The tone is serious and definitive. It is a 'high-stakes' verb. In academic writing, it might be replaced by 'erkjenne' (acknowledge), but in narrative and legal prose, tilstå is the standard.

Using tilstå correctly requires attention to both its grammatical forms and the weight of the context. Because it is a strong verb, its conjugation does not follow the standard predictable patterns of weak verbs. The transition from tilstår (present) to tilstod (past) is a hallmark of more advanced Norwegian vocabulary usage. English speakers often mistakenly use weak endings (like *tilstådde), which is a common error at the B1/B2 levels but should be avoided at C1.

Hun tilstod alt da hun innså at politiet hadde bevis.

Translation: She confessed everything when she realized the police had evidence.

There are three primary ways to structure a sentence with tilstå:

1. With a Direct Object: You can confess a specific noun. 'Han tilstod ugjerningen' (He confessed the misdeed). This is direct and common in police reports.
2. With an 'at'-clause: This is the most common way to use it in conversation. 'Jeg må tilstå at jeg er litt skuffet' (I must confess that I am a bit disappointed). The 'at' can sometimes be omitted in informal speech, but it is better to keep it for clarity.
3. Intransitively (Absolute): You can simply say 'Han valgte å tilstå' (He chose to confess). The context of what is being confessed is implied from the previous conversation.

When using tilstå with a person (confessing *to* someone), you typically use the preposition for. This is a key difference from English, where we say 'confess to'. In Norwegian, it is 'tilstå for noen'.

Han ville ikke tilstå sannheten for foreldrene sine.

Translation: He didn't want to confess the truth to his parents.

In complex sentences, tilstå can be paired with modal verbs to express necessity or hesitation. 'Jeg burde kanskje tilstått tidligere' (I should perhaps have confessed earlier). Notice the use of the past participle tilstått here. Because it is a C1 level word, you are expected to use it in nuanced contexts, such as describing internal psychological states: 'Han nektet å tilstå overfor seg selv at han hadde mislyktes' (He refused to admit to himself that he had failed).

Passive Voice: The passive form 'ble tilstått' is rare because confessions are usually active choices. However, you might see 'forbrytelsen ble tilstått av gjerningsmannen' in very formal reports.

Det er bedre å tilstå nå enn å bli tatt i løgn senere.

Translation: It is better to confess now than to be caught in a lie later.

In Norway, you will encounter tilstå in several specific domains, ranging from the evening news to classic literature. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the 'flavor' of the word beyond its dictionary definition.

1. The Legal System and Crime News (Krim): Norway has a high consumption of 'krim' (crime fiction and true crime). In news outlets like NRK or VG, you will often see headlines like 'Siktede har tilstått drapet' (The accused has confessed to the murder). In court reporting, the phrase 'uforbeholden tilståelse' (unreserved confession) is a common legal term that signifies the defendant is admitting to everything without excuses.
2. Political Scandals: When a politician is caught in a conflict of interest or a financial blunder, the media pressure often builds until they 'tilstår' their mistakes. Here, tilstå is used to emphasize the gravity of the breach of trust. It is more than just 'innrømme'; it implies a fall from grace.
3. Literature and Drama: In the works of Henrik Ibsen or Jo Nesbø, characters often grapple with secrets. The act of tilstå is frequently the climax of a scene. In Ibsen's 'A Doll's House', the tension revolves around what Nora has done and whether she will confess it to Torvald. The word carries the weight of 19th-century morality and modern psychological tension.

«Jeg må tilstå at jeg har handlet uklokt,» sa ministeren under pressekonferansen.

Translation: "I must confess that I have acted unwisely," said the minister during the press conference.

In everyday life, you might hear it in more intimate settings. Norwegians are generally private people, so when someone starts a sentence with 'Jeg må tilstå noe...', it usually signals that they are about to share something deeply personal or perhaps a bit embarrassing. It is a word that creates an immediate atmosphere of seriousness and trust.

I reality-serier ser vi ofte deltakere som må tilstå sine egentlige motiver i 'sync'-rommet.

Translation: In reality shows, we often see participants who have to confess their true motives in the 'sync' room.

Finally, you will hear it in religious contexts, though less frequently than in the past. In the Lutheran Church of Norway, while formal auricular confession is not as central as in Catholicism, the concept of 'å tilstå sine synder' (to confess one's sins) is still part of the theological vocabulary. In this sense, it is synonymous with 'bekjenne'.

Even advanced learners of Norwegian can stumble when using tilstå. The mistakes usually fall into three categories: semantic over-usage, prepositional errors, and conjugation slips.

1. Confusing 'tilstå' with 'innrømme': This is the most common mistake. While they both mean 'admit', innrømme is much broader. You innrømmer that you were wrong about the weather. You tilstår that you stole the money. Using tilstå for trivial things can make you sound overly dramatic or like a character in a 19th-century novel.
2. Using the wrong preposition (til vs. for): English speakers naturally want to say 'tilstå til politiet' because of 'confess to the police'. However, in Norwegian, you 'tilstår for politiet'. Using 'til' is a clear 'Anglicism' that marks you as a non-native speaker.
3. Conjugation Errors: Because 'stå' is a strong verb, 'tilstå' is also strong. Many learners try to conjugate it as a weak verb: *tilstådde or *tilståte. The correct past tense is tilstod and the past participle is tilstått. Remembering the connection to 'å stå' (står, stod, har stått) is the best way to avoid this.

Feil: Han tilstod til vennen sin at han hadde løyet.
Riktig: Han tilstod for vennen sin at han hadde løyet.

Another subtle mistake is using tilstå when erkjenne is more appropriate. Erkjenne is often used for acknowledging facts or reality ('erkjenne nederlag' - acknowledge defeat), whereas tilstå is specifically about admitting a fault or crime. You don't 'tilstå' that the earth is round; you 'erkjenner' it as a fact.

Mange elever blander sammen tilstå og erkjenne i juridiske tekster.

Translation: Many students mix up 'tilstå' and 'erkjenne' in legal texts.

Finally, watch out for the reflexive use. You can 'tilstå noe' (confess something), but you can't *tilstå seg (confess oneself) unless it's the specific legal phrase 'tilstå seg skyldig'. In most other cases, the verb is either transitive (has an object) or intransitive.

To master Norwegian at a C1 level, you must be able to distinguish between tilstå and its various synonyms. Each word has a specific 'register' (formality level) and 'domain' (context).

Innrømme vs. Tilstå: Innrømme is the 'everyday' word. It means to admit or concede. It is neutral and can be used for both minor and major things. Tilstå is reserved for serious admissions of guilt or deep secrets.
Erkjenne vs. Tilstå: Erkjenne is more intellectual and formal. It means to acknowledge or recognize. In court, you 'erkjenner straffskyld' (plead guilty/acknowledge criminal responsibility). While tilstå focuses on the act of telling, erkjenne focuses on the internal acceptance of the fact.
Bekjenne vs. Tilstå: Bekjenne is primarily religious or ideological. You 'bekjenner din tro' (profess your faith) or 'bekjenner dine synder' (confess your sins). It has a more positive connotation of alignment with a truth than tilstå.
Vedgå vs. Tilstå: Vedgå is a slightly more formal version of innrømme. It is often used in debates or formal discussions when someone finally accepts a point made by the opponent.

Han ville ikke innrømme at han tok feil, men til slutt måtte han tilstå at han hadde manipulert tallene.

Translation: He wouldn't admit he was wrong, but finally he had to confess that he had manipulated the numbers.

When you want to be more idiomatic, you can use phrases like å legge kortene på bordet (to lay the cards on the table) or å krype til korset (to crawl to the cross - meaning to admit a mistake and ask for forgiveness). These are great for making your Norwegian sound more natural and colorful.

Selv om han erkjente de faktiske forholdene, nektet han å tilstå selve drapet.

Translation: Although he acknowledged the actual facts, he refused to confess to the murder itself.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The 'stå' part is the same root as English 'stand'. When you 'tilstår', you are literally 'standing to' your actions.

دليل النطق

UK /ˈtɪlˌstoː/

US /ˈtɪlˌstoʊ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'til', but 'stå' also carries significant weight.

يتقافى مع

på gå nå få slå blå rå så

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'stå' like English 'stay'.
Making the 'i' in 'til' too long.
Forgetting that the 'å' is a distinct vowel sound, not an 'a'.
Stress on the second syllable instead of the first.
Mispronouncing the past tense 'tilstod' (the 'o' here is short and distinct).

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Common in news and literature, but requires understanding of strong verb forms.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires correct conjugation (tilstod) and preposition (for).

التحدث 4/5

Must be used with the right 'weight' to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

الاستماع 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with other 'stå' compounds.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

stå til si feil skyld

تعلّم لاحقاً

erkjenne vedgå unnskylde straff bevis

متقدم

uforbeholden prosessfullmektig siktede tiltalte

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Strong Verb Conjugation

tilstå -> tilstår -> tilstod -> har tilstått

Preposition 'for'

Man tilstår FOR noen, ikke TIL noen.

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

Jeg tilstår at jeg IKKE gjorde det. (Adverb position)

Infinitive with 'å'

Han valgte å tilstå.

Reflexive Verbs in Legal Context

Å tilstå SEG skyldig.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Jeg må tilstå.

I must confess.

Simple subject + modal + infinitive.

Han tilstår alt.

He confesses everything.

Present tense 'tilstår'.

Vil du tilstå?

Do you want to confess?

Question form with 'vil'.

Hun vil ikke tilstå.

She does not want to confess.

Negative with 'ikke'.

Tilstå nå!

Confess now!

Imperative form.

Jeg må tilstå en hemmelighet.

I must confess a secret.

Verb + direct object.

Hvorfor tilstår han?

Why does he confess?

Wh-question.

Vi må tilstå feilen.

We must confess the mistake.

Plural subject.

Tyven tilstod for politiet.

The thief confessed to the police.

Past tense 'tilstod' + 'for'.

Jeg må tilstå at jeg er redd.

I must confess that I am afraid.

Use of 'at'-clause.

Han har tilstått tyveriet.

He has confessed to the theft.

Present perfect 'har tilstått'.

Hun tilstod endelig sannheten.

She finally confessed the truth.

Adverb 'endelig' with past tense.

De valgte å tilstå alt.

They chose to confess everything.

Infinitive after 'valgte å'.

Kan du tilstå hva du gjorde?

Can you confess what you did?

Question with modal 'kan'.

Han tilstår aldri sine feil.

He never confesses his mistakes.

Use of 'aldri' (never).

Jeg tilstod at jeg glemte det.

I confessed that I forgot it.

Past tense 'tilstod' + 'at'.

Siktede valgte å tilstå for å få lavere straff.

The accused chose to confess to get a lower sentence.

Infinitive phrase with 'for å'.

Det er vanskelig å tilstå når man skammer seg.

It is difficult to confess when one is ashamed.

Impersonal 'det er' structure.

Hun tilstod at hun hadde jukset på prøven.

She confessed that she had cheated on the test.

Past perfect 'hadde jukset' in the clause.

Han nektet først, men så tilstod han.

He refused at first, but then he confessed.

Contrast between 'nektet' and 'tilstod'.

Jeg må tilstå at jeg ikke liker maten.

I must confess that I don't like the food.

Using 'tilstå' for a personal opinion.

Politiet håpet at han ville tilstå.

The police hoped that he would confess.

Subordinate clause with 'ville'.

Hun har ennå ikke tilstått hvor pengene er.

She has not yet confessed where the money is.

Present perfect with 'ennå ikke'.

Å tilstå er det første skrittet mot tilgivelse.

To confess is the first step toward forgiveness.

Infinitive used as a noun.

Han tilstod uforbeholdent alle anklagene.

He confessed unreservedly to all the charges.

Adverb 'uforbeholdent' (unreservedly).

Jeg må tilstå at jeg ble overrasket over resultatet.

I must confess that I was surprised by the result.

Passive 'ble overrasket' in the clause.

Det krever mot å tilstå sine egne svakheter.

It requires courage to confess one's own weaknesses.

Abstract direct object.

Mannen tilstod drapet etter flere dager i isolasjon.

The man confessed to the murder after several days in isolation.

Prepositional phrase 'etter flere dager'.

Hun tilstod at hun hadde følelser for ham.

She confessed that she had feelings for him.

Confessing emotions.

Uten en tilståelse blir saken vanskelig å løse.

Without a confession, the case will be difficult to solve.

Using the noun 'tilståelse'.

Han tilstod å ha kjørt i beruset tilstand.

He confessed to having driven while intoxicated.

Perfect infinitive 'å ha kjørt'.

Politiet presset ham til å tilstå.

The police pressured him to confess.

Verb 'presse' + 'til å'.

Gjerningsmannen valgte til slutt å legge kortene på bordet og tilstå.

The perpetrator finally chose to lay the cards on the table and confess.

Idiomatic expression 'legge kortene på bordet'.

Jeg må tilstå at jeg har visse reservasjoner mot forslaget.

I must confess that I have certain reservations about the proposal.

Formal vocabulary 'reservasjoner'.

Han tilstod seg skyldig etter tiltalens hovedpunkter.

He pleaded guilty according to the main points of the indictment.

Reflexive legal phrase 'tilstå seg skyldig'.

Det å tilstå kan i mange tilfeller virke befriende.

Confessing can in many cases feel liberating.

Infinitive as a subject with 'det å'.

Hun tilstod for sin ektefelle at hun hadde levd et dobbeltliv.

She confessed to her spouse that she had been living a double life.

Complex narrative context.

Selv om han tilstod, var det mange ubesvarte spørsmål.

Even though he confessed, there were many unanswered questions.

Concessive clause with 'selv om'.

Han nektet å tilstå til tross for overveldende bevis.

He refused to confess despite overwhelming evidence.

Prepositional phrase 'til tross for'.

Å tilstå en synd er sentralt i mange religioner.

To confess a sin is central to many religions.

Theological context.

Hans uforbeholdne tilståelse ble lagt til grunn for dommen.

His unreserved confession was used as the basis for the judgment.

Noun phrase as subject.

Man kan spørre seg om tilståelsen ble fremprovosert under tvang.

One might wonder if the confession was provoked under duress.

Passive voice 'ble fremprovosert'.

Jeg må tilstå at jeg finner hele situasjonen dypt urovekkende.

I must confess that I find the entire situation deeply disturbing.

Advanced adjective 'urovekkende'.

Det er en hårfin grense mellom å tilstå og å kapitulere.

There is a fine line between confessing and capitulating.

Philosophical comparison.

Litteraturen er full av karakterer som drives til vanvidd før de tilstår.

Literature is full of characters who are driven to madness before they confess.

Relative clause 'som drives'.

Han tilstod omsider, etter en langvarig indre kamp.

He finally confessed, after a long-lasting internal struggle.

Adverb 'omsider' and complex phrase.

Tilståelsen kom som en overraskelse på alle de involverte.

The confession came as a surprise to all those involved.

Noun phrase as subject.

I et forsøk på å rense samvittigheten, valgte han å tilstå.

In an attempt to clear his conscience, he chose to confess.

Infinitive phrase of purpose.

تلازمات شائعة

tilstå et drap

tilstå sine synder

tilstå en feil

tilstå uforbeholdent

tilstå for politiet

tilstå seg skyldig

tilstå en hemmelighet

tilstå under press

tilstå alt

nekte å tilstå

العبارات الشائعة

Jeg må tilstå at...

— A common way to start a sentence when sharing a secret or a surprising opinion.

Jeg må tilstå at jeg aldri har likt kaffe.

Å tilstå sine synder

— To admit one's moral failings, often in a religious sense.

Han gikk til presten for å tilstå sine synder.

En uforbeholden tilståelse

— A full and complete confession without any excuses or reservations.

Retten la vekt på hans uforbeholdne tilståelse.

Å bli tvunget til å tilstå

— To be coerced or pressured into admitting something.

Han hevdet at han ble tvunget til å tilstå.

Å tilstå for å lette samvittigheten

— To confess in order to feel better or remove guilt.

Han tilstod til slutt for å lette samvittigheten.

Å tilstå på dødsleiet

— To confess something just before dying.

Han tilstod alt på dødsleiet.

Å tilstå tyveriet

— To admit to stealing something.

Hun tilstod tyveriet av smykkene.

Å tilstå sannheten

— To finally tell the truth about a situation.

Det er på tide at du tilstår sannheten.

Å tilstå overfor seg selv

— To admit something to oneself that one has been denying.

Han måtte tilstå overfor seg selv at han var ensom.

Å tilstå med tungt hjerte

— To confess something with great sadness or regret.

Han tilstod med tungt hjerte at han hadde sviktet dem.

يُخلط عادةً مع

tilstå vs innrømme

Innrømme is for general admissions; tilstå is for serious/criminal ones.

tilstå vs forstå

To understand. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

tilstå vs bestå

To pass (an exam) or consist of. Sounds similar but unrelated.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Krype til korset"

— To admit a mistake and ask for forgiveness, usually after being stubborn.

Han måtte til slutt krype til korset og innrømme at han tok feil.

informal

"Legge kortene på bordet"

— To reveal all the facts and be completely honest.

Nå er det på tide å legge kortene på bordet og fortelle hva som skjedde.

neutral

"Gå i seg selv"

— To reflect on one's actions and realize one's faults, often leading to a confession.

Han gikk i seg selv og skjønte at han måtte tilstå.

neutral

"Rense luften"

— To talk openly about a problem to resolve tension, often involving a confession.

Vi trenger en samtale for å rense luften.

informal

"Snakke rett fra leveren"

— To speak very honestly and directly, often revealing difficult truths.

Han snakket rett fra leveren og tilstod alt.

informal

"Få det ut av systemet"

— To say something that has been bothering you so you can move on.

Jeg måtte bare tilstå det for å få det ut av systemet.

informal

"Svelge en kamel"

— To accept something unpleasant or admit a defeat you didn't want to.

Han måtte svelge en kamel og tilstå at motstanderen hadde rett.

informal

"Gjøre rent bord"

— To start fresh by admitting everything and clearing away old issues.

Han valgte å gjøre rent bord og tilstå alle gamle synder.

neutral

"Ta bladet fra munnen"

— To finally speak up about something one has kept quiet about.

Hun tok endelig bladet fra munnen og tilstod sannheten.

neutral

"Stå til rette for"

— To be held accountable and have to explain/confess one's actions.

Han måtte stå til rette for det han hadde gjort.

formal

سهل الخلط

tilstå vs erkjenne

Both involve admitting something.

Erkjenne is about acknowledging facts or responsibility; tilstå is the act of confessing guilt.

Han erkjente de faktiske forhold, men ville ikke tilstå drapet.

tilstå vs bekjenne

Both are used for 'confessing'.

Bekjenne is for faith or sins; tilstå is for crimes or secrets.

Han bekjente sin tro.

tilstå vs vedgå

Both mean admit.

Vedgå is more formal and often used in debates or formal concessions.

Han vedgikk at motparten hadde et poeng.

tilstå vs si

Basic word for 'say'.

Si is neutral; tilstå implies the information was hidden or is shameful.

Han sa sannheten vs. Han tilstod sannheten.

tilstå vs oppdage

Related to revealing something.

Oppdage is to find out; tilstå is to tell voluntarily.

Politiet oppdaget tyveriet før han rakk å tilstå.

أنماط الجُمل

Jeg må tilstå.

Han tilstod [noe].

Han tilstod feilen.

Hun tilstod at [setning].

Hun tilstod at hun var trøtt.

De tilstod for [person].

De tilstod for politiet.

Å [infinitiv] er å tilstå.

Å tie er nesten å tilstå.

Tilstå seg skyldig i [noe].

Han tilstod seg skyldig i bedrageri.

Under [omstendighet] valgte han å tilstå.

Under sterkt press valgte han å tilstå.

En [adjektiv] tilståelse.

En uforbeholden tilståelse ble gitt.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

tilståelse (confession)

الأفعال

tilstå (confess)

الصفات

tilstått (confessed - e.g., 'et tilstått drap')

مرتبط

stå

innrømme

erkjenne

bekjenne

vedgå

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in news, legal contexts, and serious drama; less common in casual everyday chat.

أخطاء شائعة

Han tilstod til meg. → Han tilstod for meg.
In Norwegian, you confess 'for' someone, not 'til' them.
Jeg tilstådde alt. → Jeg tilstod alt.
Tilstå is a strong verb and does not take the -dde ending.
Jeg tilstår at jeg liker is. → Jeg innrømmer at jeg liker is.
Tilstå is too heavy for liking ice cream unless it's a huge secret.
Han vil ikke tilstod. → Han vil ikke tilstå.
After 'vil ikke', you must use the infinitive form.
En tilståelse dom. → En tilståelsesdom.
Compound nouns in Norwegian are written as one word.

نصائح

Strong Verb Mastery

Associate 'tilstå' with 'stå' (to stand). If you know 'stod' is the past of 'stå', you know 'tilstod' is the past of 'tilstå'.

Legal Weight

Use 'tilstå' in your writing when discussing crime or justice to sound more professional and precise.

The 'For' Rule

Always remember: Tilstå FOR politiet, FOR foreldrene, FOR vennen. Never 'til'.

Dramatic Effect

Use 'Jeg må tilstå...' to grab someone's attention before revealing a secret. It creates immediate interest.

Noun Form

Learn 'en tilståelse' along with the verb. It is a very common noun in news reports.

Switching it up

If 'tilstå' feels too heavy, use 'innrømme'. If it feels too simple, try 'erkjenne' (for facts).

The Rounded 'Å'

Make sure your 'å' is rounded and deep, not like an 'a'. It's the most important sound in the word.

At-clauses

Practice building sentences like 'Han tilstod at han ikke hadde gjort det han sa han hadde gjort'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'tilstå', expect the topic to be something serious or a reveal of a secret.

The Honest Norwegian

Understand that 'tilståelse' is culturally valued as a path to making things right in Norway.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'til' (to) + 'stå' (stand). You are 'standing to' the truth. You don't run away; you stand and admit it.

ربط بصري

Imagine a person standing alone in a spotlight in a dark room, finally saying 'It was me'. The act of standing (stå) is the key.

Word Web

krim politi sannhet skyld hemmelighet rettssak dommer samvittighet

تحدٍّ

Try to write a short dialogue between a detective and a suspect where the word 'tilstå' is used at the climax.

أصل الكلمة

From Middle Low German 'tostan', which literally means 'to stand to' or 'to belong to'.

المعنى الأصلي: Originally it meant to belong to or to be entitled to, but it evolved into admitting that something belongs to one's own actions (guilt).

Germanic (Norwegian, Danish, German 'gestehen').

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when using 'tilstå' in personal matters; it can sound very heavy. Use 'innrømme' if you want to be less dramatic.

In English, we often use 'confess' for religious or criminal acts, but 'admit' for general things. Norwegian 'tilstå' maps closely to 'confess'.

Henrik Ibsen's plays often feature characters who must 'tilstå' a secret from the past. The term 'tilståelsesdom' is a common feature in Norwegian true crime podcasts. In the TV show 'Skam', characters often have to 'tilstå' feelings or mistakes to maintain their friendships.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Police/Legal

tilstå drapet
tilstå seg skyldig
en uforbeholden tilståelse
tilståelsesrabatt

Personal Relationships

tilstå en hemmelighet
tilstå sine følelser
tilstå at man har løyet
tilstå for kjæresten

Religion

tilstå sine synder
gå til bekjennelse
tilstå for presten
en angrende synder

Work/Professional

tilstå en feil i rapporten
tilstå manglende kunnskap
tilstå at man er forsinket
tilstå et uhell

Daily Life (Humorous)

tilstå at man har spist opp kaken
tilstå at man ikke har trent
tilstå en liten hvit løgn
tilstå at man så på Netflix i stedet

بدايات محادثة

"Jeg må tilstå noe for deg, men lover du å ikke bli sint?"

"Har du noen gang måttet tilstå noe som var skikkelig flaut?"

"Hvorfor tror du det er så vanskelig for folk å tilstå feilene sine?"

"Tror du en tilståelse alltid gjør saken bedre?"

"Hva ville du gjort hvis du visste en hemmelighet men ikke ville tilstå den?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Skriv om en gang du måtte tilstå noe vanskelig. Hvordan føltes det etterpå?

Er det alltid riktig å tilstå sannheten, eller finnes det unntak? Reflekter over dette.

Beskriv en karakter i en bok som nekter å tilstå en forbrytelse de har begått.

Hva betyr ordet 'tilståelse' for deg personlig? Er det knyttet til lettelse eller frykt?

Skriv en fiktiv politiavhør-scene hvor den mistenkte til slutt velger å tilstå.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, but it sounds dramatic or funny. For example, 'Jeg må tilstå at jeg liker ananas på pizza' is a playful use of the word.

Only when you are mentioning the person you are confessing TO. 'Jeg tilstod for læreren.' If you just say what you confessed, you don't need 'for'.

'Tilstå' is heavier and more formal, often used for crimes. 'Innrømme' is neutral and used for any kind of admission.

Yes. The forms are tilstå, tilstår, tilstod, tilstått. Do not use 'tilstådde'.

Rarely. It almost always involves something negative, shameful, or secret. You wouldn't 'tilstå' that you won an award.

It means an 'unreserved confession' where the person admits everything without any excuses or conditions.

No, that is an English-influenced mistake. Use 'tilstå for'.

Yes, 'en tilståelse' is 'a confession'.

You can say 'tilstå seg skyldig' or 'erkjenne straffskyld'.

Yes, but 'bekjenne' is more common for 'confessing sins' in a church setting.

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