Signification
Keeping track of what is happening.
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value 'opplysthet' (being informed). It is common to discuss the news at the lunch table, and not 'følge med' can make you feel left out of social conversations. In Norwegian schools, 'følg med' is a standard phrase. Teachers expect students to be self-regulated and pay attention without constant discipline. With the rise of social media, 'å følge med' has shifted to mean staying updated on influencers or trends on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. In a flat hierarchy like Norway's, employees are expected to 'følge med' on the company's goals and not just wait for orders.
The 'Med' Rule
If you are talking about attention, never forget the 'med'. 'Jeg følger' sounds like you are a stalker; 'Jeg følger med' sounds like you are a good student.
Preposition Pitfall
Always use 'på' after 'følge med' if you name the thing you are watching. 'Følge med i' is only used for 'i timen' (in class) or 'i samtalen' (in the conversation).
Signification
Keeping track of what is happening.
The 'Med' Rule
If you are talking about attention, never forget the 'med'. 'Jeg følger' sounds like you are a stalker; 'Jeg følger med' sounds like you are a good student.
Preposition Pitfall
Always use 'på' after 'følge med' if you name the thing you are watching. 'Følge med i' is only used for 'i timen' (in class) or 'i samtalen' (in the conversation).
Past Tense Mastery
The past tense 'fulgte' is irregular. Practice saying 'Jeg fulgte ikke med' to apologize gracefully when you get distracted.
Teste-toi
Fyll inn de manglende ordene i setningen.
Jeg klarer ikke å ______ ______ på hva læreren sier.
In this context, 'følge med' is the most natural way to say you are struggling to pay attention/keep up.
Hvilken setning er riktig?
How do you say 'I follow the news'?
You need both the particle 'med' and the preposition 'på' to follow an object like 'the news'.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Beklager, hva sa du? B: ______ du ikke ______?
B is asking if A was paying attention, so 'Fulgte du ikke med?' is the correct past tense form.
Match situasjonen med riktig bruk av 'følge med'.
Situasjon: Du ser på en spennende fotballkamp.
Watching a game involves tracking the action, so 'følge med på' is used.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg klarer ikke å ______ ______ på hva læreren sier.
In this context, 'følge med' is the most natural way to say you are struggling to pay attention/keep up.
How do you say 'I follow the news'?
You need both the particle 'med' and the preposition 'på' to follow an object like 'the news'.
A: Beklager, hva sa du? B: ______ du ikke ______?
B is asking if A was paying attention, so 'Fulgte du ikke med?' is the correct past tense form.
Situasjon: Du ser på en spennende fotballkamp.
Watching a game involves tracking the action, so 'følge med på' is used.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it means 'I am coming with you' (physically). If you mean 'I am paying attention to you', say 'Jeg følger med på det du sier'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your teacher, or your best friend.
'Følge etter' is physical (walking behind someone). 'Følge med' is mental (paying attention).
You can say 'Jeg følger deg ikke helt' or 'Jeg følger ikke helt med'. Both work, but the latter focuses more on your lack of attention.
Yes! 'Jeg følger med på Instagram' means you are keeping up with what's happening there.
In almost all Norwegian dialects, yes. Pronouncing the 'd' will make you sound very foreign or like you are reading from an old book.
It usually means 'Watch out' or 'Be alert' for upcoming changes in traffic or road conditions.
Yes, it means you are watching TV and paying attention to the program.
Not directly, but 'oppfølging' (follow-up) is the closest related noun.
Use 'Følg nøye med'.
Expressions liées
å følge
similarTo follow (physically or logically)
å følge opp
builds onTo follow up
å følge etter
similarTo follow behind
å være oppmerksom
synonymTo be attentive
