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B1 verb 10 Min. Lesezeit

spare

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Erklärung spare in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'spare' in its simplest form: saving money. You might see it in a store ('Spar penger!') or use it to say you are putting money in a piggy bank. Focus on the present tense: 'Jeg sparer penger'. You don't need to worry about complex prepositions yet. Just remember that 'spare' is what you do with your 'penger' (money). It's a positive word about having more in the future. You can also think of it in terms of 'sparebank' (savings bank), which is a very common type of bank in Norway. If you see this word on a building, you know it is a place for money. Keep your sentences short and focused on concrete objects like coins, bills, or a specific toy you want to buy. This is the foundation of the word's usage.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'spare' with 'til' to express a goal. 'Jeg sparer til en ny sykkel' (I am saving for a new bike). You also begin to learn the past tense: 'I fjor sparte jeg mye penger' (Last year I saved a lot of money). At this stage, you should also be aware that 'spare' can apply to energy or time, not just money. For example, 'Vi må spare strøm' (We must save electricity). This is a very common phrase in Norwegian households. You are also introduced to the idea of 'sparing' as being frugal. You might hear someone say 'Du må spare på smøret' (You must save on the butter/use the butter sparingly). This level is about expanding the objects you can 'spare' and using the correct past tense forms.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'spare' in a variety of contexts with correct prepositions and nuances. You should understand the difference between 'spare' and 'lagre' (saving money vs saving a computer file). This is a critical distinction at this level. You should also be comfortable with the reflexive-like usage 'spare seg for', as in 'Du kan spare deg for de kommentarene' (You can save yourself those comments/keep them to yourself). B1 learners should be able to discuss savings plans (spareplaner) and understand the cultural importance of saving in Norway, such as the BSU (Boligsparing for ungdom) system. You should also be able to use the perfect tense 'har spart' to describe long-term efforts. Your vocabulary should now include related words like 'sparekonto' and 'sparebøsse'.

At the B2 level, you use 'spare' to discuss more abstract concepts and social dynamics. You can talk about 'å spare miljøet' (saving the environment) in a nuanced way, discussing various 'sparetiltak' (savings measures) in a professional or academic setting. You understand that 'spare' can mean to 'spare someone' from an unpleasant experience, and you can use it idiomatically. You are also expected to distinguish 'spare' from more advanced synonyms like 'skåne' (to shield/spare) or 'bevare' (to preserve). You can write about economic trends and use 'spare' to describe government fiscal policy. Your grammar should be flawless, including the use of 'spare' in passive constructions or as part of complex compound nouns like 'innsparingsforslag' (proposals for savings/cuts).

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At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'spare'. You can use it in highly formal contexts, such as legal or economic texts, where 'innsparing' (saving/cutting) refers to budgetary reductions. You are familiar with literary uses of the word and can appreciate the subtle difference between 'å spare på konfekten' (to save the best for last/be cautious) and other idiomatic expressions. You can debate the ethics of 'sparing' in a globalized world, such as resource conservation versus economic growth. You use the word with precision, choosing it over 'redde', 'lagre', or 'oppbevare' without a second thought. You also understand the historical etymology of the word and how it relates to other Germanic languages, providing you with a deep linguistic intuition for its various shades of meaning.

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At the C2 level, 'spare' is a tool you use with total flexibility and stylistic flair. You can use it ironically, metaphorically, or in highly specialized technical domains. You understand the most obscure idioms and can even coin new ones that sound natural to a native ear. You are aware of dialectal variations in how 'spare' is pronounced and used across Norway. You can analyze the rhetoric of 'sparing' in political speeches, identifying when the word is used to soften the blow of austerity measures. For you, 'spare' is not just a verb, but a concept deeply woven into the fabric of Norwegian social and economic thought, and you can manipulate its various meanings to achieve specific rhetorical effects in both speech and writing.

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spare in 30 Sekunden

Spare means to save money, time, or resources for later use.
It is a regular verb: spare, sparer, sparte, har spart.
Use 'spare til' for goals and 'spare på' for frugality.
Do not use it for saving computer files; use 'lagre' instead.

The Norwegian verb spare is a fundamental pillar of daily life in Norway, reflecting a culture that values sustainability, financial prudence, and resourcefulness. At its core, it translates to 'to save' in English, but its application stretches across several distinct domains, from the coins in a piggy bank to the electricity powering a home. Understanding spare requires looking beyond a simple dictionary definition and exploring how it functions as a lifestyle choice and a grammatical tool.

Financial Saving: This is the most common usage. It refers to the act of setting money aside for future use, whether in a high-interest savings account (sparekonto) or specifically for a home (BSU - Boligsparing for ungdom). It implies a conscious decision not to spend now in order to have more later.

Jeg prøver å spare penger til en ny bil neste år.

Resource Conservation: In a world focused on climate change, spare is used frequently when talking about 'sparing the environment' (spare miljøet) or 'saving energy' (spare strøm). Here, it means to use less of something to prevent waste or depletion.

Vi må spare på vannet i de tørre sommermånedene.

Norwegians often use the phrase spare på to indicate being frugal with something specific. For example, if you are 'sparing på saltet', you are being careful not to use too much salt. This nuance suggests a level of care and intentionality. Furthermore, the word appears in social contexts, such as spare noen for noe, which means to spare someone from something unpleasant, like a long explanation or a difficult task. This breadth makes it one of the most versatile verbs in the B1 vocabulary set, bridging the gap between economic necessity and social etiquette.

Kan du spare meg for detaljene om ulykken?

Time Efficiency: When you find a shortcut or a faster way to do something, you 'sparer tid' (save time). This is highly valued in the Norwegian workplace, where efficiency is key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Ved å ta toget i stedet for bussen, kan vi spare minst tjue minutter.

Han har spart i mange år for å kunne reise jorden rundt.

In conclusion, spare is a verb that moves from the wallet to the world. Whether you are talking about the environment, your personal finances, or your own energy levels, this word provides the necessary framework to discuss preservation and preparation for the future. It is a word of wisdom, caution, and foresight.

Using spare correctly involves understanding its grammatical patterns and the prepositions that often accompany it. While the basic structure is 'Subject + spare + Object', the nuances change significantly depending on the context. Let's break down the most common sentence structures you will encounter as you progress in your Norwegian studies.

Direct Object Usage: The most straightforward way to use the verb is with a direct object representing what is being saved. This is typical for money, time, and resources.

De vil spare penger til depositum på en leilighet.

The Preposition 'på': When you use 'spare på', the meaning shifts slightly toward frugality or being economical with a supply. It suggests using a resource sparingly so that it lasts longer.

Vi må spare på kreftene våre hvis vi skal nå toppen av fjellet.

Another important structure is spare til noe, which indicates the purpose or goal of the saving. This is almost exclusively used with money. You save for something specific. This helps define the motivation behind the action.

Barna sparer til hver sin nye spillkonsoll.

The Reflexive and Social Usage: The phrase 'spare seg for' is used when someone decides not to do something to avoid effort or annoyance. It can also be used to ask someone else to stop bothering you with something.

Du kan spare deg for de sarkastiske kommentarene dine.

Jeg skal spare resten av kaken til i morgen.

Finally, consider the imperative form spar!. While rare on its own, it is common in slogans or commands regarding resources. 'Spar strøm!' is a common sight on posters during energy crises. By mastering these different patterns, you can express complex ideas about economy and social boundaries with a single, simple verb.

In Norway, the word spare is ubiquitous. It appears in the most serious financial news and the most casual kitchen-table conversations. Because Norway is a country with a high cost of living, the concept of saving is deeply ingrained in the national psyche. You will hear it in the bank, at the grocery store, and even in political debates about the national 'Oil Fund'.

At the Bank (I banken): Bank advisors will constantly ask you about your 'spareplan' (savings plan). They will discuss 'sparing i fond' (saving in mutual funds) or 'sparing i aksjer' (saving in stocks). This is the most formal and technical environment for the word.

Det er lurt å begynne å spare til pensjon så tidlig som mulig.

In the Media and Politics: Politicians often talk about 'sparetiltak' (savings measures) when the government needs to cut costs. You will hear this on the news (Dagsrevyen) whenever the national budget is discussed. It implies a tightening of the belt for the public good.

Kommunen må spare millioner av kroner på grunn av budsjettunderskudd.

In everyday life, you'll hear parents telling their children to spare their weekly allowance (ukepenger). You'll also see it in marketing: 'Spar 20%!' (Save 20%!) is a common retail slogan. In these contexts, it's about the immediate benefit of a lower price. Furthermore, in environmental contexts, you will hear people talk about 'å spare miljøet' by taking the bike instead of the car. This illustrates the shift from personal gain to collective responsibility.

Ved å kildesortere kan vi spare naturen for unødvendig forurensning.

In Sports and Training: Athletes often talk about 'å spare seg' during a race. This means they are not running at full speed because they want to have energy left for the final sprint. It's a strategic use of the word.

Løperen valgte å spare på kreftene til den siste bakken.

Whether you are reading a financial report or listening to a friend talk about their vacation budget, spare will be there. It is a word that connects the mundane tasks of life with the larger goals of security and sustainability that define Norwegian society.

While spare seems like a simple translation of 'to save', English speakers often run into trouble because English uses 'save' for several different concepts that Norwegian distinguishes with different verbs. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Norwegian sound much more natural and precise.

Spare vs. Lagre: This is the most frequent error. In English, you 'save' a document on your computer. In Norwegian, you MUST use lagre for this. If you say 'Jeg må spare dokumentet', a Norwegian will think you are trying to protect the document from being deleted or that you are being frugal with it, which makes little sense in a digital context.

Husk å lagre (ikke spare!) arbeidet ditt før du lukker laptopen.

Spare vs. Redde: Another common mistake involves the 'rescue' aspect of 'save'. If a lifeguard saves a drowning person, they redder them. Spare is never used for rescuing lives. Using spare here would imply you are 'setting the person aside for later' or 'using the person sparingly', which is quite dark and incorrect.

Brannmannen reddet (ikke sparte!) katten ut av det brennende huset.

Another nuance is the use of spare på versus spare til. Learners often swap these prepositions. Remember: spare til is for a goal (saving for a house), while spare på is about how you use a resource (saving on the butter). If you say 'Jeg sparer på en bil', it sounds like you are using your car very carefully to make it last, rather than putting money away to buy one.

Jeg sparer til en ny bil, så jeg må spare på bensinutgiftene mine.

Overusing 'Spare' for 'Keep': In English, we might say 'Save me a seat'. In Norwegian, you would more likely use holde av (hold off/reserve). While spare en plass is occasionally heard, it can sound a bit translated from English. Using holde av en plass is much more idiomatic.

Kan du holde av en plass til meg på bussen?

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the 'spare' vs 'lagre' and 'spare' vs 'redde' rules—you will avoid the most jarring mistakes that beginners make. Precision in these verbs shows a deep understanding of the Norwegian worldview.

To truly master the concept of 'saving' in Norwegian, you need to know the alternatives to spare. Depending on whether you are talking about money, time, or physical objects, other verbs might be more appropriate or offer a more specific meaning. Let's compare spare with its closest linguistic relatives.

Legge av (Set aside): This phrasal verb is very common when talking about money. While spare is the general act of saving, legge av implies the physical or digital act of moving money into a separate account. It's more about the 'setting aside' action.

Jeg pleier å legge av to tusen kroner hver måned til ferie.

Oppbevare (Store/Keep): If you are talking about keeping an object in a safe place, oppbevare is the technical term. You don't 'spare' your winter clothes in the attic; you oppbevarer them. This verb focuses on the storage aspect rather than the conservation aspect.

Smykkene må oppbevares i en safe.

When it comes to the environment or people, skåne is a sophisticated alternative to spare. It means 'to shield' or 'to protect from harm'. While you can 'spare' the environment, 'skåne' implies a more active protection against negative influences. It is often used in more formal or poetic contexts.

Vi må prøve å skåne barna fra de verste nyhetene.

Gjemme (Hide/Save for later): If you are 'saving' a piece of chocolate for later, you might say gjemme. It literally means 'to hide', but in a domestic setting, it's the common way to say you're keeping something for a later time so no one else eats it.

Jeg skal gjemme denne sjokoladen til lørdagskos.

Finally, consider bevare, which means 'to preserve'. This is used for historical buildings, traditions, or nature in a grander sense. While spare is about not using something up, bevare is about keeping something in its original, good condition for the long term. Using these alternatives correctly will demonstrate a B2 or C1 level of nuance.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The English word 'spare' (as in a spare tire) and the Norwegian 'spare' are cognates, meaning they share the same historical root. In both languages, the idea of having something 'extra' or 'set aside' is central.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈspɑːrə/

US /ˈspɑːrə/

The stress is on the first syllable: SPA-re.

Reimt sich auf

bare fare gare hare kare mare nare vare

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' (keep it a tap or roll).
Making the 'a' too short like in 'cat'.
Aspirating the 'p' too much.
Forgetting the final 'e' sound.
Pronouncing 'spare' like the English word 'spare' (it should have two syllables).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The word is common in news and everyday texts. Easy to recognize.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of the correct prepositions (til vs på).

Sprechen 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires the Norwegian 'r' tap.

Hören 2/5

Very common in daily speech; easy to pick up in context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

penger bruke kjøpe bank vil

Als Nächstes lernen

investere økonomi budsjett rente lån

Fortgeschritten

avkastning inflasjon likviditet obligasjoner kapital

Wichtige Grammatik

Weak Verb Conjugation (Group 2)

spare - sparer - sparte - har spart

Prepositional usage with 'til'

Jeg sparer TIL en bil. (Goal)

Prepositional usage with 'på'

Jeg sparer PÅ strømmen. (Resource)

Compound Noun Formation

spare + konto = sparekonto

Reflexive-like structures

spare seg for noe

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Jeg sparer penger.

I am saving money.

Present tense of 'spare'.

Sparer du penger?

Are you saving money?

Question form using the present tense.

Vi sparer til en is.

We are saving for an ice cream.

Use of 'til' to indicate a goal.

Hun sparer hver dag.

She saves every day.

Adverbial phrase 'hver dag' with the present tense.

Kan du spare litt?

Can you save a little?

Modal verb 'kan' followed by the infinitive 'spare'.

Jeg har en sparebank.

I have a savings bank.

Compound noun 'sparebank'.

Mamma sparer penger nå.

Mom is saving money now.

Present tense with the adverb 'nå'.

Barna sparer til leker.

The children are saving for toys.

Plural subject with 'til'.

I går sparte jeg ti kroner.

Yesterday I saved ten kroner.

Past tense 'sparte' with a time expression.

Vi må spare på strømmen i vinter.

We must save on electricity this winter.

The preposition 'på' used for resources.

Han har spart penger i ett år.

He has saved money for one year.

Present perfect tense 'har spart'.

Jeg vil spare tid ved å sykle.

I want to save time by cycling.

Using 'spare' with 'tid' (time).

Du bør spare til din egen leilighet.

You should save for your own apartment.

Modal verb 'bør' with infinitive.

De sparte mye vann i sommer.

They saved a lot of water this summer.

Past tense with a resource object.

Hvor mye har du spart til nå?

How much have you saved until now?

Question in the present perfect tense.

Det er viktig å spare miljøet.

It is important to save (protect) the environment.

Infinitive phrase as a subject.

Jeg sparer i BSU for å kjøpe min første bolig.

I am saving in BSU to buy my first home.

Specific Norwegian financial term 'BSU'.

Du kan spare deg for de frekke kommentarene.

You can save yourself those rude comments.

Idiomatic use of 'spare seg for'.

Vi har spart opp en god buffer for uforutsette utgifter.

We have saved up a good buffer for unforeseen expenses.

Phrasal verb 'spare opp'.

Ved å ta bussen sparer du både penger og miljøet.

By taking the bus, you save both money and the environment.

Gerund-like construction with 'ved å'.

Han sparte ikke på konfekten da han kritiserte sjefen.

He didn't hold back (save the sweets) when he criticized the boss.

Idiom: 'ikke spare på konfekten'.

Det er lurt å spare på kreftene til slutten av løpet.

It is wise to save your energy for the end of the race.

Resource conservation with 'på'.

Jeg sparer alle kvitteringene mine i en mappe.

I save (keep) all my receipts in a folder.

Using 'spare' as 'keep/collect'.

Hvorfor sparer du på det gamle papiret?

Why are you saving (keeping) that old paper?

Question about keeping/hoarding.

Regjeringen har foreslått omfattende sparetiltak i helsesektoren.

The government has proposed extensive savings measures in the health sector.

Compound noun 'sparetiltak'.

Vi må spare fremtidige generasjoner for denne gjelden.

We must spare future generations from this debt.

Transitive use meaning 'to exempt from'.

Hun sparte ingen anstrengelser for å nå målet sitt.

She spared no effort to reach her goal.

Formal expression 'spare ingen anstrengelser'.

Kan du spare meg for detaljene i denne saken?

Can you spare me the details of this case?

Social usage meaning 'don't tell me'.

Det å spare i fond gir ofte høyere avkastning over tid.

Saving in mutual funds often yields higher returns over time.

Substantivized infinitive 'Det å spare'.

De sparte på alt for å få råd til drømmereisen.

They saved on everything to afford their dream trip.

General usage of 'spare på' meaning frugality.

Selskapet må spare millioner for å unngå konkurs.

The company must save millions to avoid bankruptcy.

Business context.

Mange velger å spare i gull som en sikkerhet mot inflasjon.

Many choose to save in gold as a security against inflation.

Economic context.

Det er en hårfin balanse mellom å spare og å investere for vekst.

There is a fine balance between saving and investing for growth.

Abstract comparison.

Ved å skåne naturen sparer vi oss selv for fremtidige kriser.

By shielding nature, we spare ourselves from future crises.

Using 'spare' in a reflexive, preventative sense.

Han sparte ikke på kruttet i sitt siste debattinnlegg.

He didn't hold back (spare the gunpowder) in his latest debate piece.

Idiom: 'ikke spare på kruttet'.

Denne teknologien sparer oss for utallige timer med manuelt arbeid.

This technology saves us countless hours of manual labor.

Efficiency context.

Det å spare på konfekten kan av og til oppleves som gjerrighet.

Saving the best for last (or being frugal) can sometimes be perceived as stinginess.

Nuanced social observation.

Vi bør spare de ansatte for unødvendig byråkrati.

We should spare the employees from unnecessary bureaucracy.

Management context.

Hun har spart på hvert eneste brev hun har mottatt siden barndommen.

She has kept every single letter she has received since childhood.

Lifelong habit description.

Innsparingene i budsjettet vil få konsekvenser for de svakeste i samfunnet.

The savings (cuts) in the budget will have consequences for the most vulnerable in society.

Noun form 'innsparing'.

Den asketiske livsstilen innebærer å spare på alt av jordisk gods.

The ascetic lifestyle involves saving (being frugal with) all earthly possessions.

Philosophical context.

Man må ikke spare seg selv når man kjemper for en rettferdig sak.

One must not spare oneself when fighting for a just cause.

Moral imperative.

Forfatteren sparer ikke på de språklige virkemidlene i denne romanen.

The author does not hold back on linguistic devices in this novel.

Literary analysis.

Ved å spare på sannheten, endte han opp med å bedra sine nærmeste.

By being frugal with the truth, he ended up deceiving those closest to him.

Metaphorical usage.

Denne strategien sparer oss for de mest risikofylte investeringene.

This strategy spares us from the most high-risk investments.

Risk management context.

Han sparte ikke på ironien da han beskrev situasjonen.

He didn't hold back on the irony when he described the situation.

Stylistic description.

Vi må spare de historiske monumentene for ytterligere forfall.

We must save the historical monuments from further decay.

Preservation context.

Innsparingene ble gjennomført med kirurgisk presisjon.

The savings (cuts) were carried out with surgical precision.

Advanced metaphor.

Häufige Kollokationen

spare penger

spare tid

spare strøm

spare miljøet

spare til bolig

spare på kreftene

spare i fond

spare seg for

spare på saltet

spare til pensjon

Häufige Phrasen

Den som sparer, den har.

— A proverb meaning 'He who saves, has'. It encourages thriftiness.

Husk å sette inn penger på sparekontoen; den som sparer, den har.

Spare på skillingen og la daleren gå.

— Being penny-wise and pound-foolish. Saving small amounts while wasting large ones.

Han kjøper billig mat men bruker tusenvis på klær; han sparer på skillingen og lar daleren gå.

Å spare på konfekten.

— To save the best for last or to be cautious with resources.

Hun sparte på konfekten og ventet med å fortelle den gode nyheten.

Spare til en regnværsdag.

— To save money for a time of need or a 'rainy day'.

Det er alltid lurt å ha litt penger spart til en regnværsdag.

Spare seg til fant.

— To save so much that it becomes detrimental or counterproductive.

Hvis du ikke vedlikeholder huset for å spare penger, sparer du deg til fant.

Å spare på kruttet.

— To hold back one's best arguments or energy for later.

Han sparte på kruttet til slutten av debatten.

Spare noen for bryderiet.

— To save someone the trouble of doing something.

Jeg kan kjøre deg, så sparer jeg deg for bryderiet med bussen.

Spare på presten.

— An old expression meaning to be very frugal, even with essential services.

De levde så enkelt at naboene sa de sparte på presten.

Spare på ordene.

— To be very brief or laconic in speech.

Han er en mann som sparer på ordene.

Spare seg selv.

— To avoid overexerting oneself.

Du må huske å spare deg selv litt i denne travle perioden.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

spare vs lagre

Use 'lagre' for computer files and 'spare' for money/resources.

spare vs redde

Use 'redde' for rescuing lives and 'spare' for economizing.

spare vs bevare

Use 'bevare' for preservation of history/nature and 'spare' for saving resources.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Ikke spare på kruttet"

— To give it your all or to use very strong language/arguments without holding back.

Hun sparte ikke på kruttet under talen.

informal

"Spare på konfekten"

— To be stingy with information or to save the best part of a story for later.

Han sparte på konfekten helt til slutt.

neutral

"Spare seg til fant"

— To be so frugal that you end up losing money in the long run (e.g., not repairing a car).

Ikke kjøp de billigste dekkene; du sparer deg til fant.

neutral

"Den som sparer, den har"

— Thriftiness leads to wealth and security.

Bestemor sa alltid: den som sparer, den har.

neutral

"Spare på skillingen"

— To focus on saving very small amounts of money.

Han sparer på skillingen, men bruker formuer på reiser.

neutral

"Spare til en regnværsdag"

— Saving for future emergencies.

Jeg sparer alltid litt til en regnværsdag.

neutral

"Spare på ordene"

— To be a person of few words.

Han er en sindig kar som sparer på ordene.

neutral

"Spare noen for noe"

— To protect someone from having to experience something unpleasant.

Kan du spare meg for detaljene?

neutral

"Spare seg for bryet"

— To decide not to do something because it is not worth the effort.

Du kan spare deg for bryet med å vaske, jeg gjør det selv.

neutral

"Spare på kreftene"

— To pace oneself to avoid exhaustion.

Du må spare på kreftene hvis du skal orke hele dagen.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

spare vs lagre

Both translate to 'save' in English.

Lagre is for technical storage of data or goods in a warehouse. Spare is for financial or resource economization.

Jeg må lagre filen, men jeg vil spare penger.

spare vs redde

Both translate to 'save' in English.

Redde is for saving someone from danger (rescue). Spare is for saving something for later use.

Han reddet barnet, men sparte ikke på kreftene.

spare vs oppbevare

Both involve keeping something.

Oppbevare is about the physical location and condition of storage. Spare is about the act of not using something up.

Vi oppbevarer maten i kjøleskapet for å spare den til i morgen.

spare vs bevare

Both involve keeping something safe.

Bevare is used for conservation of traditions, buildings, or nature. Spare is more about daily resources or money.

Vi må bevare kulturen, og spare penger til museet.

spare vs skåne

Both can mean to spare someone from something.

Skåne is more formal and implies protection from harm or stress. Spare is more general.

Vi må skåne ham for nyhetene for å spare ham for unødig bekymring.

Satzmuster

Jeg sparer [noun].

Jeg sparer penger.

Jeg sparer til [noun].

Jeg sparer til sykkel.

Vi må spare på [noun].

Vi må spare på vannet.

Jeg har spart i [time period].

Jeg har spart i tre måneder.

Kan du spare meg for [noun]?

Kan du spare meg for maset?

Ved å [verb], sparer vi [noun].

Ved å sykle, sparer vi penger.

Man bør ikke spare på [abstract noun].

Man bør ikke spare på vennligheten.

[Noun] innebærer å spare på [noun].

Asketisme innebærer å spare på alt.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

sparing (saving - the act)

sparer (a saver - person)

sparekonto (savings account)

sparebøsse (piggy bank)

innsparing (budget cut/saving)

Verben

oppspare (to save up over time)

innspare (to achieve savings)

Adjektive

sparsom (frugal/scanty)

sparsommelig (economical/thrifty)

spart (saved - past participle)

Verwandt

penger

økonomi

bank

budsjett

ressurser

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Norwegian.

Häufige Fehler

Jeg sparte dokumentet på laptopen. → Jeg lagret dokumentet på laptopen.
You cannot 'spare' digital files; 'lagre' is the technical term for saving data.
Brannmannen sparte barnet. → Brannmannen reddet barnet.
'Spare' means to economize. 'Redde' means to rescue from danger.
Jeg sparer på en ny bil. → Jeg sparer til en ny bil.
Use 'til' for a goal (saving for something) and 'på' for a resource (saving on something).
Kan du spare en plass til meg? → Kan du holde av en plass til meg?
While 'spare' is sometimes understood, 'holde av' is the idiomatic way to say 'save/reserve a seat'.
Han har sparet mye penger. → Han har spart mye penger.
The past participle of 'spare' is 'spart', not 'sparet'.

Tipps

Conjugation Check

Remember the 't' in the past tense: 'sparte'. Many learners accidentally use 'spared' or 'sparet', but 'sparte' is the only correct form.

Spare vs Lagre

This is the #1 mistake. Always use 'lagre' for computers and 'spare' for money. Think: 'S' for 'Spare' and 'S' for 'Silver/Salary'.

BSU Saving

If you live in Norway and are under 34, mention 'BSU' when talking about saving. It shows you understand the local culture and financial system.

Saving Time

You can 'spare tid' (save time) or 'spare noen for tid' (save someone time). Both are very natural.

The Silent 'e'?

The final 'e' in 'spare' is NOT silent. It is a soft 'uh' sound (schwa). Make sure you pronounce both syllables: SPA-re.

Hold back

Use 'ikke spare på kruttet' when someone is being very direct or forceful in a debate. It's a great B2/C1 level idiom.

Eco-friendly

Use 'spare miljøet' instead of 'redde miljøet' when talking about small, daily actions like recycling or biking.

Being Polite

Use 'spare noen for bryderiet' to be polite. 'Jeg kan gjøre det, så sparer jeg deg for bryderiet' is a very nice thing to say.

Saving Up

Use the phrasal verb 'spare opp' when you are talking about reaching a large financial goal over time.

Pacing Yourself

In sports or long tasks, use 'spare på kreftene' to describe the strategy of not using all your energy at once.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Spare' tire. It is something you 'save' for later when you really need it. In Norwegian, you 'spare' penger just like you keep a 'spare' tire.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant piggy bank shaped like a lifebuoy. It represents 'saving' money (piggy bank) and 'saving' or protecting (lifebuoy).

Word Web

Penger Tid Miljø Strøm Vann Krefter BSU Bank

Herausforderung

Try to use 'spare' in three different ways today: once for money, once for time, and once for a resource like water or light.

Wortherkunft

The word 'spare' comes from the Old Norse 'spara'. It is related to the Old High German 'sparōn' and the Old English 'sparian'. It has deep roots in Germanic languages, always carrying the sense of being frugal or showing mercy.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To hold back, to be frugal, or to show mercy/refrain from harming.

Indo-European -> Germanic -> North Germanic -> Norwegian.

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'spare seg for' as it can sound quite dismissive or rude if the tone is not right.

English speakers often use 'save' for computer files, but in Norway, you must distinguish between 'spare' (money/resources) and 'lagre' (data).

Sparebank 1 (A major Norwegian banking alliance) Luksusfellen (TV show about people who failed to spare penger) Oljefondet (The ultimate example of Norwegian saving)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Personal Finance

sette inn på sparekonto
spare til bolig
månedlig sparing
spare i aksjer

Environment

spare strøm
spare på vannet
spare miljøet
energisparing

Social Situations

spare noen for detaljer
spare seg for kommentarer
spare på konfekten
spare seg for bryet

Work/Efficiency

spare tid
spare ressurser
sparetiltak i bedriften
spare krefter

Shopping

spar 50 kroner
spar penger på salg
det lønner seg å spare
sparekupong

Gesprächseinstiege

"Hva sparer du til akkurat nå?"

"Har du noen gode tips for å spare strøm hjemme?"

"Er du flink til å spare penger, eller bruker du dem med en gang?"

"Hvorfor tror du det er så viktig for nordmenn å spare i BSU?"

"Kan du fortelle om en gang du sparte lenge til noe du virkelig ønsket deg?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Skriv om dine økonomiske mål for det neste året. Hvor mye vil du spare?

Reflekter over hvordan du kan spare miljøet i din hverdag.

Beskriv en situasjon der du valgte å spare på kreftene dine. Var det et lurt valg?

Hva betyr ordtaket 'den som sparer, den har' for deg personlig?

Diskuter fordeler og ulemper ved å spare i fond sammenlignet med en vanlig sparekonto.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should never use 'spare' for digital files. In Norwegian, the correct verb is 'lagre'. If you say 'Jeg sparer dokumentet', it sounds like you are trying to be frugal with the document or protect it from being used, which is incorrect in a technical context.

'Spare til' is used when you have a specific goal or object you want to buy (e.g., 'spare til bil'). 'Spare på' is used when you are being frugal with a resource you already have (e.g., 'spare på strømmen' or 'spare på saltet').

While you can occasionally hear 'spare en plass', the more idiomatic way to say this is 'holde av en plass'. For example: 'Kan du holde av en plass til meg?'

'Spare' is a weak verb. It follows the Group 2 pattern: spare (infinitive), sparer (present), sparte (past), har spart (present perfect).

It is often used idiomatically to mean 'don't bother' or 'keep it to yourself'. If someone is being rude, you might say 'Du kan spare deg for de kommentarene', which means 'You can keep those comments to yourself'.

No. To rescue someone from danger, you use the verb 'redde'. 'Spare' is only for saving resources, money, or time.

A 'sparekonto' is a savings account at a bank. It is the most common place for Norwegians to 'spare penger'.

Yes, 'spare tid' is a very common expression, just like 'save time' in English. For example: 'Denne snarveien sparer oss for ti minutter'.

It is an idiom that means to save the best for last or to be very cautious and not use up all your best resources or information at once.

Absolutely. 'Å spare miljøet' (to save/protect the environment) and 'å spare strøm' (to save electricity) are very common and important phrases in Norway.

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