Bedeutung
Asking for clearer speech.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Norwegians are very direct. Asking someone to speak slower is not considered rude; it's considered practical. They would rather you ask than pretend to understand. Dialects here can be very melodic but fast. People from Bergen are known for speaking quickly ('snakke som en foss' - speaking like a waterfall). In Norwegian meetings, efficiency is key. If you don't understand, you are expected to speak up immediately so the meeting can proceed effectively. These are common in Norwegian libraries. Volunteers are trained to speak 'saktere', but they often forget when they get excited about a topic.
The 'Litt' Trick
Adding 'litt' (a little) before 'saktere' makes the request sound much more natural and less like a criticism of the speaker.
Don't just nod!
Norwegians will assume you understand if you nod. If you are lost, use the phrase immediately.
Bedeutung
Asking for clearer speech.
The 'Litt' Trick
Adding 'litt' (a little) before 'saktere' makes the request sound much more natural and less like a criticism of the speaker.
Don't just nod!
Norwegians will assume you understand if you nod. If you are lost, use the phrase immediately.
English is the trap
If you don't ask them to speak 'saktere', they will switch to English to be helpful. Use the phrase to stay in Norwegian mode.
Hand Gestures
A small 'slow down' hand gesture (palms down, moving slightly) helps reinforce the phrase if the environment is noisy.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to ask someone to speak slower.
Kan du ______ saktere?
After the modal verb 'kan', we use the infinitive form without 'å'.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask a friend to slow down?
Choose the best option:
'Saktere' is the correct comparative form, and 'Kan du...' is the standard polite request.
Complete the dialogue.
Person A: [Speaks very fast Norwegian] Person B: Unnskyld, jeg er ny i Norge. ___________?
The context of being 'new in Norway' and someone speaking fast makes this the logical request.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a noisy cafe and can't hear the speed of the waiter.
While 'høyere' (louder) also works for noise, 'saktere' helps with processing the words in a difficult environment.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Sakte vs. Rolig
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKan du ______ saktere?
After the modal verb 'kan', we use the infinitive form without 'å'.
Choose the best option:
'Saktere' is the correct comparative form, and 'Kan du...' is the standard polite request.
Person A: [Speaks very fast Norwegian] Person B: Unnskyld, jeg er ny i Norge. ___________?
The context of being 'new in Norway' and someone speaking fast makes this the logical request.
You are in a noisy cafe and can't hear the speed of the waiter.
While 'høyere' (louder) also works for noise, 'saktere' helps with processing the words in a difficult environment.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenIt is an adverb modifying the verb 'snakke'.
No, that is a literal translation from English. You must use the comparative form 'saktere'.
No, in Norway's flat hierarchy, it is seen as professional to ensure you understand instructions correctly.
You can say 'Beklager, fremdeles litt for fort' (Sorry, still a bit too fast).
No, adverbs in the comparative form do not change based on the gender of the subject.
'Saktere' is about speed. 'Seinere' usually means 'later' in time, though in some dialects it can mean slower.
Add 'vær så snill' at the end or 'vennligst' at the beginning.
Yes, you would say 'Jeg må sette ned hastigheten' (I need to lower the speed).
It's often the pitch accent and the way words are linked together (liaison) that makes it seem fast to learners.
'Ta det litt piano' is a common idiom meaning 'take it easy/slow down'.
Yes, 'Kjør saktere!' means 'Drive slower!'.
'Fortere' or 'hurtigere' (faster).
No, 'tale' is used for formal speeches, and 'prate' is used for casual chatting.
In Sweden they say 'Kan du prata långsammare?' and in Denmark 'Kan du tale langsommere?'. They will understand the Norwegian version though.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kan du gjenta det?
similarCan you repeat that?
Hva sa du?
informalWhat did you say?
Kan du snakke tydeligere?
similarCan you speak more clearly?
Jeg forstår ikke.
builds onI don't understand.
Hva betyr...?
specialized formWhat does ... mean?
Snakk litt saktere, vær så snill.
specialized formSpeak a bit slower, please.
