Signification
Complimenting food.
Contexte culturel
The 'Takk for maten' (Thanks for the food) speech is a staple of Norwegian dinner parties. Even in casual settings, saying 'Det smakte fantastisk' is a key part of being a good guest. Understatement is common, but 'fantastisk' is one of the few superlatives that is widely accepted and not seen as 'too much' when describing food. In cities like Oslo, food culture is very international. You can use this phrase for sushi, tacos, or traditional 'fårikål' equally. Food always tastes better outside ('Alt smaker bedre ute'). Using this phrase while sitting around a campfire is very common.
Add 'Helt'
Say 'Det smaker helt fantastisk' to sound more like a native. 'Helt' (completely) is a very common intensifier.
Watch the Tense
Use 'smaker' while eating and 'smakte' after you have finished. Using the wrong tense is a common A1 mistake.
Signification
Complimenting food.
Add 'Helt'
Say 'Det smaker helt fantastisk' to sound more like a native. 'Helt' (completely) is a very common intensifier.
Watch the Tense
Use 'smaker' while eating and 'smakte' after you have finished. Using the wrong tense is a common A1 mistake.
Eye Contact
When saying this to a host, make brief eye contact and smile. It makes the compliment feel much more sincere in Norwegian culture.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing verb in the present tense.
Maten ____ fantastisk!
We use 'smaker' for the present tense to say it tastes good right now.
Which sentence is the most polite way to compliment a host after a meal?
A: Det er mat. B: Takk for maten, det smakte fantastisk. C: Jeg er mett.
B combines the cultural 'Takk for maten' with a high-level compliment.
Match the Norwegian phrase with its English meaning.
1. Det smaker fantastisk. 2. Det smakte fantastisk. 3. Det er kjempegodt.
Matching the tenses and the intensity of the adjectives.
Complete the dialogue.
Servitør: 'Hvordan er biffen?' Deg: 'Den ____ ____.'
Using 'den' to refer to 'biffen' (masculine) and the phrase for a strong compliment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to Praise Food
Taste
- • Smaker fantastisk
- • Smaker nydelig
- • Smaker godt
Intensity
- • Helt fantastisk
- • Kjempegodt
- • Ganske godt
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMaten ____ fantastisk!
We use 'smaker' for the present tense to say it tastes good right now.
A: Det er mat. B: Takk for maten, det smakte fantastisk. C: Jeg er mett.
B combines the cultural 'Takk for maten' with a high-level compliment.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching the tenses and the intensity of the adjectives.
Servitør: 'Hvordan er biffen?' Deg: 'Den ____ ____.'
Using 'den' to refer to 'biffen' (masculine) and the phrase for a strong compliment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! It is perfectly natural to say 'Kaffen smaker fantastisk.'
Not at all. Norwegians use it frequently, though 'godt' is more common for a simple sandwich.
'Smaker' is present tense (now), 'smakte' is past tense (then).
No, that would be very strange and likely misunderstood! Use it only for food and drink.
You would say 'Det smaker ikke så fantastisk,' but it's more common to say 'Det smaker ikke så godt.'
You can just say 'Fantastisk!' while eating, and people will understand you mean the taste.
No, in this phrase, it functions as an adverb and remains 'fantastisk'.
Usually 'Takk, så bra at du liker det!' (Thanks, so glad you like it!).
Yes, 'Det smaker utrolig godt' is a very common alternative.
Yes, while the pronunciation of 'smaker' might change, the phrase is understood and used everywhere.
Expressions liées
Det smaker nydelig
synonymIt tastes lovely.
Det er kjempegodt
similarIt is very good.
Smak og behag
relatedTo each their own (taste and pleasure).
Å få smaken på noe
builds onTo get a taste for something.
