Bedeutung
Used to make a request politely.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Norwegians value directness. While 'Vær så snill' is polite, overusing it can make you sound like you are begging or that you are not confident. Use it once per request, not every three words. In English-speaking cultures, 'Please' is almost mandatory for every request. In Norway, the 'politeness' is often built into the 'Takk' at the end of the transaction. In Norwegian offices, hierarchy is flat. A boss will use 'Vær så snill' to a subordinate to emphasize that they are asking for cooperation, not just giving an order. On Norwegian social media (like 'Hjelp til alt mulig' groups), 'Vær så snill' is often used in the title of a post to signal a genuine need for help from the community.
The 'Takk' Rule
If you forget 'Vær så snill', just use 'Takk' at the end of your sentence. It's often more natural in Norway.
Avoid 'Please' as 'Pardon'
In English, we say 'Please?' if we didn't hear someone. In Norwegian, use 'Hva sa du?' or 'Unnskyld?'
Bedeutung
Used to make a request politely.
The 'Takk' Rule
If you forget 'Vær så snill', just use 'Takk' at the end of your sentence. It's often more natural in Norway.
Avoid 'Please' as 'Pardon'
In English, we say 'Please?' if we didn't hear someone. In Norwegian, use 'Hva sa du?' or 'Unnskyld?'
The Pleading Tone
To sound more like a native when pleading, stretch out the 'snill'—'Vær så sniiiiill!'
Body Language
A small nod when saying 'Vær så snill' goes a long way in Norwegian culture.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to make the request polite.
En kaffe, ___ så snill.
'Vær' is the imperative form of 'å være' (to be), which is required for this phrase.
Which of these is the correct way to respond to 'Takk'?
Person A: Takk for hjelpen! Person B: ______
You should never use 'Vær så snill' to mean 'You're welcome.' 'Vær så god' is the correct response.
Complete the dialogue in a restaurant.
Kunde: Kan jeg få menyen, ______? Servitør: Selvfølgelig, vær så god.
'Vær så snill' is the most natural way to ask for the menu politely.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are writing a formal sign for a library asking people to be quiet.
'Vennligst' is the appropriate formal register for signs and notices.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Vær så snill vs. Vær så god
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenEn kaffe, ___ så snill.
'Vær' is the imperative form of 'å være' (to be), which is required for this phrase.
Person A: Takk for hjelpen! Person B: ______
You should never use 'Vær så snill' to mean 'You're welcome.' 'Vær så god' is the correct response.
Kunde: Kan jeg få menyen, ______? Servitør: Selvfølgelig, vær så god.
'Vær så snill' is the most natural way to ask for the menu politely.
You are writing a formal sign for a library asking people to be quiet.
'Vennligst' is the appropriate formal register for signs and notices.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, you can! 'Vær så snill, hjelp meg' is just as correct as 'Hjelp meg, vær så snill.'
Not necessarily. If you use a polite tone and say 'takk' afterwards, you are fine. But using it makes you sound extra polite.
'Snill' is singular, 'snille' is plural or definite. In this phrase, 'snill' is almost always used.
Say 'Vær så snill, ikke...' followed by the action. For example: 'Vær så snill, ikke rør den.'
Yes, 'Vennligst' is better for formal business emails, while 'Vær så snill' is better for colleagues you know well.
Yes! 'En kaffe, vær så snill, takk' is very polite, though a bit repetitive.
The words stay the same, but the melody (intonation) changes significantly from Oslo to Bergen or Tromsø.
It's a cultural preference for expressing gratitude for the interaction rather than asking for a favor.
No, use 'Unnskyld' (Excuse me) for that. Use 'Vær så snill' only once you are making the request.
Yes, but 'Er du snill' or just 'takk' is often more common among close friends.
Three words: Vær (v-æ-r), så (s-å), snill (s-n-i-l-l).
Not really, but in texting, some might just use 'snill' or a praying hands emoji 🙏.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Vær så god
contrastHere you go / You're welcome
Vennligst
specialized formPlease (formal)
Er du snill
similarIf you'd be so kind
Takk
builds onThanks
Hvis du vil
similarIf you want
Gjerne
similarGladly / I'd like
