Bedeutung
Too complex to explain quickly
Kultureller Hintergrund
Norwegians value 'the right to be left alone'. Using this phrase is a socially accepted way to signal that you don't want to share personal details without being considered rude. In the US, this phrase is often a 'hook' to get someone to ask 'Well, do you have time now?'. In Norway, it is more often a 'stop' sign. The Japanese equivalent is used to maintain harmony (wa) by not burdening the listener with one's own complicated problems. Similar to Norway, Germans use this to maintain professional boundaries, though they might be more likely to actually tell the story if you insist.
The 'Sigh' Technique
To sound like a native, give a small sigh before saying the phrase. it adds to the feeling that the story is truly exhausting to tell.
Don't Overuse
If you use this for every question, people will think you are being secretive or unfriendly. Use it only for truly complex topics.
Bedeutung
Too complex to explain quickly
The 'Sigh' Technique
To sound like a native, give a small sigh before saying the phrase. it adds to the feeling that the story is truly exhausting to tell.
Don't Overuse
If you use this for every question, people will think you are being secretive or unfriendly. Use it only for truly complex topics.
The Follow-up
If someone says this to you, the polite Norwegian response is usually 'Skjønner' (I see) or 'Den er grei' (That's fine), rather than pushing for details.
Teste dich selbst
Which is the correct way to say 'It's a long story' in Norwegian?
Hvorfor gråter du? – ________.
'Lang' is the correct adjective for stories, and 'en' is the required article for the masculine noun 'historie'.
Fill in the missing adjective.
Det er en ____ historie.
The adjective must agree with the masculine noun 'historie'.
Match the response to the question.
Question: Hvordan mistet du jobben din?
This is a polite way to avoid a complex or painful explanation about job loss.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Hvorfor flyttet du fra USA til Norge? B: ________. Men jeg trives her!
Moving countries is usually a complex process, making this the most natural idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Det er en lang historie'
Social
- • Meeting an ex
- • Old classmates
- • Dating apps
Work
- • Project delays
- • Career changes
- • Technical errors
Personal
- • Moving house
- • Family drama
- • Broken items
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHvorfor gråter du? – ________.
'Lang' is the correct adjective for stories, and 'en' is the required article for the masculine noun 'historie'.
Det er en ____ historie.
The adjective must agree with the masculine noun 'historie'.
Question: Hvordan mistet du jobben din?
This is a polite way to avoid a complex or painful explanation about job loss.
A: Hvorfor flyttet du fra USA til Norge? B: ________. Men jeg trives her!
Moving countries is usually a complex process, making this the most natural idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, in Norwegian, 'historie' means both 'a story' (fiction or anecdote) and 'history' (the past). Context tells you which is which.
You can, but it's not a common idiom. Usually, if a story is short, you just tell it!
Not necessarily, but you should follow it up with a brief summary if it relates to your work tasks.
Because 'historie' is a masculine noun. Neuter nouns use 'et', but 'historie' is 'en historie'.
Yes, it's very common in informal or semi-formal emails to explain why something took a long time.
Then using this phrase would be considered sarcastic or ironic.
No, it can refer to a series of events, a decision-making process, or a relationship history.
Younger people might say 'Lang story' (using the English word), but 'Lang historie' is still more common.
Focus on the 'o' sounding like 'oo' and the stress being on that syllable: hi-STOO-rie.
Yes! This is the most common way to use it—giving a tiny hint before stopping.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kort fortalt
contrastBriefly told / Long story short
For å gjøre en lang historie kort
builds onTo make a long story short
Det var en gang
similarOnce upon a time
Det er mye om og men
similarThere are many 'ifs' and 'buts'
