Signification
To have a lasting impact.
Contexte culturel
In Norway, leaving physical tracks in nature is often seen as a sign of presence, but modern 'Leave No Trace' ethics are strong. Metaphorically, however, 'å sette spor' is one of the highest compliments for a public figure. For the Sami people, reading tracks (luodda) in the snow is a vital skill for reindeer herding. The idiom 'å sette spor' has a very literal and respected foundation in their traditional way of life. In Norwegian workplaces, 'å sette spor' is often used in performance reviews to discuss an employee's contribution to the company culture and long-term goals. From Hamsun to Knausgård, Norwegian authors often explore how the past 'setter spor' in the present, a theme central to the Nordic Noir genre.
Use 'dype'
If you want to sound more native when talking about emotional impact, always add the adjective 'dype' (deep). 'Det satte dype spor' sounds much more natural than just 'Det satte spor'.
Watch the tense
Remember that 'sette' is irregular. Many students say 'settet' or 'setted', but the past tense is 'satte'.
Signification
To have a lasting impact.
Use 'dype'
If you want to sound more native when talking about emotional impact, always add the adjective 'dype' (deep). 'Det satte dype spor' sounds much more natural than just 'Det satte spor'.
Watch the tense
Remember that 'sette' is irregular. Many students say 'settet' or 'setted', but the past tense is 'satte'.
Funeral Etiquette
This is a very safe and beautiful phrase to use in a Norwegian condolence card.
Teste-toi
Fyll ut med riktig form av verbet 'å sette'.
Læreren min ___ dype spor i meg da jeg var barn.
We use the past tense 'satte' because the sentence refers to 'da jeg var barn' (when I was a child).
Hvilken setning bruker idiomet riktig?
Velg det beste alternativet:
This is the classic figurative use of the idiom to describe emotional impact.
Koble sammen uttrykk og betydning.
Match uttrykkene:
These are the most common variations and their specific nuances.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Hvordan var turen til Afrika? B: Den var fantastisk. Opplevelsene har virkelig ___.
In the context of a life-changing trip, 'satt spor' is the most natural way to say it had a lasting impact.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for 'å sette spor'?
Velg situasjonen:
A society-changing book is a perfect example of something that 'setter spor'.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesLæreren min ___ dype spor i meg da jeg var barn.
We use the past tense 'satte' because the sentence refers to 'da jeg var barn' (when I was a child).
Velg det beste alternativet:
This is the classic figurative use of the idiom to describe emotional impact.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the most common variations and their specific nuances.
A: Hvordan var turen til Afrika? B: Den var fantastisk. Opplevelsene har virkelig ___.
In the context of a life-changing trip, 'satt spor' is the most natural way to say it had a lasting impact.
Velg situasjonen:
A society-changing book is a perfect example of something that 'setter spor'.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, it can. You can say 'Krigen satte dype spor i landet', meaning the war caused lasting damage or trauma.
Usually it is plural 'spor' without an article. 'Sette et spor' sounds like you are literally making one single footprint.
'Prege' is more like 'to characterize' or 'to color'. 'Sette spor' is more about the lasting legacy or result.
Yes, you could say an influencer 'setter spor' if they actually change people's opinions or behaviors.
It is neutral. It works in both a PhD thesis and a chat with your grandmother.
In Norwegian, we say 'ikke etterlate seg spor'.
Yes, that is the literal origin! 'Elgen satte spor i hagen.'
It's just a variation. 'Sine' makes it feel a bit more poetic or inevitable, like time passing.
Yes, 'Såret satte spor i huden' is possible, though 'arr' (scar) is more common.
Almost exactly, but 'spor' has a stronger connection to 'path' and 'journey'.
Yes, a player who changes a club's history 'setter spor'.
'Dype' (deep) is by far the most common.
Expressions liées
å prege
similarTo characterize or influence strongly.
å gjøre inntrykk
similarTo make an impression.
å etterlate seg en arv
builds onTo leave a legacy.
å gå i noens fotspor
similarTo follow in someone's footsteps.
å viske ut
contrastTo erase or wipe out.
