Bedeutung
Picking up a call.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Norwegians often answer the phone with just their first name or 'Hallo'. It is considered polite to identify yourself immediately if the caller is unknown. In Norwegian offices, it is common for anyone nearby to 'ta telefonen' if a colleague is away, showing a flat hierarchy and teamwork. Due to high levels of spam, many Norwegians will not 'ta telefonen' if the number is not in their contacts, preferring to wait for a text. It is increasingly seen as rude to 'ta telefonen' during a face-to-face conversation or meal without excusing oneself first.
The 'Den' Shortcut
In 90% of casual situations, just say 'Jeg tar den'. It's faster and more natural.
Don't say 'Svar'
Avoid saying 'Jeg svarer den'. It sounds like you are answering a question, not a device.
Bedeutung
Picking up a call.
The 'Den' Shortcut
In 90% of casual situations, just say 'Jeg tar den'. It's faster and more natural.
Don't say 'Svar'
Avoid saying 'Jeg svarer den'. It sounds like you are answering a question, not a device.
Identify Yourself
When you answer a work phone, always say the company name and your name.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'å ta'.
I går ___ jeg ikke telefonen fordi jeg sov.
The sentence refers to 'i går' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'tok'.
Which sentence is the most natural in Norwegian?
A: Jeg svarer telefonen. B: Jeg tar telefonen. C: Jeg plukker opp telefonen.
'Jeg tar telefonen' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Complete the dialogue.
Lise: 'Det ringer!' Per: 'Ok, jeg ___ den.'
Per is offering to answer the phone, so 'tar' is the correct verb.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are busy and want your friend to answer your ringing phone.
This is a polite request for someone else to answer.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenI går ___ jeg ikke telefonen fordi jeg sov.
The sentence refers to 'i går' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'tok'.
A: Jeg svarer telefonen. B: Jeg tar telefonen. C: Jeg plukker opp telefonen.
'Jeg tar telefonen' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Lise: 'Det ringer!' Per: 'Ok, jeg ___ den.'
Per is offering to answer the phone, so 'tar' is the correct verb.
Situation: You are busy and want your friend to answer your ringing phone.
This is a polite request for someone else to answer.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, for the door we say 'å lukke opp døra' or 'å åpne'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
The past tense is 'tok'. Example: 'Jeg tok telefonen i morges'.
It's understood but sounds like a translation from English. Stick to 'ta'.
You can say 'Jeg gikk glipp av anropet' or 'Jeg hørte ikke telefonen'.
Say 'Jeg sitter i telefonen' (literally: I sit in the phone).
Yes, in formal writing or if you are specifically answering a query via phone.
Only if the context is about theft. Usually, it just means answering.
It's a person whose job is to 'ta telefonen' for a period of time.
Yes, 'ta mobilen' is very common for mobile phones.
Verwandte Redewendungen
å ringe
contrastTo make a call
å legge på
contrastTo hang up
å ringe tilbake
builds onTo call back
å sette over
specialized formTo transfer a call
å være opptatt
similarTo be busy (on the phone)
