Signification
Ruining relationships permanently.
Contexte culturel
In Norway, the professional world is very small. Burning a bridge in one company often means people in other companies will hear about it quickly. While still negative, American culture sometimes values the 'clean break' more than the cautious Norwegian approach, though burning bridges is still advised against. Maintaining 'Wa' (harmony) is crucial. Burning a bridge is seen as a massive failure of character and social responsibility. Hospitality and long-term family/tribal connections mean that 'burning a bridge' can affect not just you, but your family's reputation.
Use it as a warning
It's most natural when giving advice to someone who is angry.
Don't use for small things
If you just missed a phone call, you didn't burn a bridge.
Signification
Ruining relationships permanently.
Use it as a warning
It's most natural when giving advice to someone who is angry.
Don't use for small things
If you just missed a phone call, you didn't burn a bridge.
The 'Bak seg' addition
Adding 'bak seg' (behind oneself) makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
The Small Norway Rule
Remember that in Norway, bridges are very hard to rebuild!
Teste-toi
Fyll inn riktig form av verbet 'å brenne'.
Han ______ alle broer da han sluttet i jobben i fjor.
We need the past tense (preteritum) because of the time marker 'i fjor' (last year).
Hva betyr det å brenne broer?
Hvis du brenner broer, betyr det at...
The idiom refers to the permanent destruction of relationships or opportunities.
Hvilken situasjon passer best til uttrykket?
Lise krangler med sjefen sin på den siste dagen og sier at firmaet er forferdelig.
Lise is acting in a way that makes it impossible for her to get a good reference or return to that job.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Jeg skal fortelle vennen min nøyaktig hvor dum han er! B: Vær forsiktig, du vil vel ikke ______?
B is warning A not to ruin the friendship permanently.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHan ______ alle broer da han sluttet i jobben i fjor.
We need the past tense (preteritum) because of the time marker 'i fjor' (last year).
Hvis du brenner broer, betyr det at...
The idiom refers to the permanent destruction of relationships or opportunities.
Lise krangler med sjefen sin på den siste dagen og sier at firmaet er forferdelig.
Lise is acting in a way that makes it impossible for her to get a good reference or return to that job.
A: Jeg skal fortelle vennen min nøyaktig hvor dum han er! B: Vær forsiktig, du vil vel ikke ______?
B is warning A not to ruin the friendship permanently.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is very common to use this for family feuds that result in no contact.
95% of the time, yes. Occasionally, it's used to mean a brave 'fresh start' where you leave the past behind completely.
The past tense is 'brente'. Example: 'Jeg brente broen'.
Almost. 'Brenne skip' is more about personal commitment to a new path, while 'brenne broer' is about social destruction.
Yes, to explain why you left a previous job respectfully: 'Jeg ville ikke brenne noen broer'.
No, the phrase itself isn't rude, but the action it describes usually is.
Usually plural 'broer' or 'broene'. Singular is rare.
Then you are 'reparere broer' or 'bygge broer på nytt'.
Yes, it is one of the most frequently used idioms in both work and private life.
No, that just means burning a house. It has no idiomatic meaning.
Expressions liées
å bygge broer
contrastTo reconcile or create a connection.
å starte på nytt
similarTo start over.
å bryte kontakten
similarTo break contact.
å kaste inn håndkleet
builds onTo give up.
