Signification
Acquiring knowledge.
Contexte culturel
The 'Friluftsliv' (outdoor life) culture means many Norwegians 'lærer seg' to ski, hike, and navigate the mountains from a very young age. It's considered a basic part of being Norwegian. The concept of 'Dugnad' often requires neighbors to 'lære seg' practical skills like painting or gardening to help the community. In the modern 'YouTube University' era, 'å lære seg' is the most common verb used for self-taught skills like coding, makeup, or DIY. In Norwegian universities, there is a shift from 'being taught' to 'learning for oneself', emphasizing the 'lære seg' mindset over passive listening.
The 'Skill' Rule
If you can add 'how to' in English (e.g., learn *how to* cook), you almost always need 'seg' in Norwegian.
Don't forget the pronoun!
Saying 'Jeg lærer å kjøre' sounds incomplete to a native speaker. It's like saying 'I'm learning drive' instead of 'I'm learning to drive'.
Signification
Acquiring knowledge.
The 'Skill' Rule
If you can add 'how to' in English (e.g., learn *how to* cook), you almost always need 'seg' in Norwegian.
Don't forget the pronoun!
Saying 'Jeg lærer å kjøre' sounds incomplete to a native speaker. It's like saying 'I'm learning drive' instead of 'I'm learning to drive'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun (meg, deg, seg, oss, dere).
Vi vil lære ___ å snakke spansk.
The subject is 'Vi' (We), so the reflexive pronoun must be 'oss'.
Which sentence is correct if you are teaching yourself to play piano?
...
'Lære meg' + 'å spille' is the standard way to describe learning an instrument.
Match the Norwegian phrase to its English meaning.
1. Lære seg utenat, 2. Lære bort, 3. Lære av feil, 4. Lære seg å kjøre
These are common variations of the verb 'å lære'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kan du svømme? B: Nei, men jeg skal ___ ___ det i sommer.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'lære meg' is correct.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVi vil lære ___ å snakke spansk.
The subject is 'Vi' (We), so the reflexive pronoun must be 'oss'.
...
'Lære meg' + 'å spille' is the standard way to describe learning an instrument.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common variations of the verb 'å lære'.
A: Kan du svømme? B: Nei, men jeg skal ___ ___ det i sommer.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'lære meg' is correct.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's common, but 'Jeg lærer meg norsk' sounds more like you are actively mastering it for yourself.
No, it's neutral. You can use it with friends, at work, or in writing.
'Tilegne seg' is much more formal and usually used for abstract knowledge or professional skills in a CV.
No, that is usually just 'å lære av sine feil'.
Because it's a reflexive pronoun. It must always point back to the subject (I -> myself, You -> yourself).
Yes, 'Jeg må lære meg nummeret ditt' is very natural.
Yes, it often translates that way, but it's also just the standard way to say 'learn a skill'.
Use 'Jeg lærer ham' or 'Jeg underviser ham'. No 'seg'!
It is 'lærte seg'. Example: 'Jeg lærte meg det i fjor.'
Absolutely. 'Lære seg å spille fotball' is perfect.
Expressions liées
å lære bort
contrastTo teach someone else.
å tilegne seg
synonymTo acquire (knowledge/skills).
å mestre
builds onTo master.
å studere
similarTo study.
