Signification
Everyone has different preferences and interests.
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value 'personvern' (privacy) and generally avoid criticizing others' personal choices to maintain social harmony. The phrase reflects a move away from 'Janteloven' (don't think you're special) towards accepting individual quirks. In Norwegian social media, this is a common comment on 'life hack' videos or strange food trends. Used to navigate the 'flat hierarchy' in Norwegian offices when colleagues have different working styles.
The 'Agree to Disagree' Button
Use this phrase when you want to stop an argument about something subjective like pizza toppings or music.
Watch Your Tone
If said with a sarcastic tone, it can sound judgmental. Keep your voice neutral to stay polite.
Signification
Everyone has different preferences and interests.
The 'Agree to Disagree' Button
Use this phrase when you want to stop an argument about something subjective like pizza toppings or music.
Watch Your Tone
If said with a sarcastic tone, it can sound judgmental. Keep your voice neutral to stay polite.
Add 'Ja ja'
Starting with 'Ja ja, hver sin lyst' makes you sound like a native speaker who is relaxed and tolerant.
The Man and the Cow
There is a famous joke/saying: 'Hver sin lyst, sa mannen, han kysset kua' (To each his own, said the man, he kissed the cow). It's a funny way to emphasize how weird tastes can be.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct reflexive pronoun to complete the phrase.
Noen liker å gå tur i regnet. Hver ___ lyst!
In this fixed idiom, 'hver' must be followed by the reflexive possessive 'sin'.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate phrase.
A: Jeg skal begynne med isbading hver morgen! B: Oi, det høres kaldt ut, men ___.
'Hver sin lyst' is the most natural response to an unusual hobby or activity.
Which situation is 'hver sin lyst' MOST appropriate for?
Select the best context:
The phrase is used for subjective preferences like house colors, not for crimes, failures, or factual questions.
Fill in the missing word in this common variation.
Smak og ___ kan ikke diskuteres.
'Smak og behag' is a very common related phrase that means 'taste and pleasure'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Hver sin lyst'
Food
- • Pineapple on pizza
- • Ketchup on pasta
- • Strong spices
Hobbies
- • Extreme sports
- • Niche collections
- • Winter swimming
Lifestyle
- • Living in a van
- • Early bird vs Night owl
- • Minimalism
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNoen liker å gå tur i regnet. Hver ___ lyst!
In this fixed idiom, 'hver' must be followed by the reflexive possessive 'sin'.
A: Jeg skal begynne med isbading hver morgen! B: Oi, det høres kaldt ut, men ___.
'Hver sin lyst' is the most natural response to an unusual hobby or activity.
Select the best context:
The phrase is used for subjective preferences like house colors, not for crimes, failures, or factual questions.
Smak og ___ kan ikke diskuteres.
'Smak og behag' is a very common related phrase that means 'taste and pleasure'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsUsually no, it's a polite way to acknowledge differences. However, if said with a sneer, it can be dismissive.
Yes, they are very similar. 'Smak' is better for aesthetics, 'lyst' is better for actions/hobbies.
Because 'hver' is the subject, and Norwegian uses reflexive possessives (sin/si/sitt) to refer back to the subject.
It's more common in speech and informal writing, but you might see it in opinion pieces or light-hearted articles.
It means 'desire', 'inclination', or 'pleasure'. It's related to the English word 'lust' but without the sexual focus.
It's better to avoid it for serious political or moral debates, as it can seem trivializing.
Technically 'hver sine lyster', but it's rarely used. Stick to the singular 'hver sin lyst'.
The 'y' sound is made by saying 'ee' while rounding your lips as if you are going to whistle.
Yes, it is a standard expression used across all dialects.
The closest equivalents are 'To each their own' or 'Different strokes for different folks'.
Only if discussing very light topics like hobbies. Don't use it for professional skills or methods.
Yes, it has been used for hundreds of years and is considered a classic Norwegian idiom.
Expressions liées
smak og behag
synonymTaste and pleasure.
deg om det
similarThat's your business / That's on you.
folk er forskjellige
builds onPeople are different.
hver fugl synger med sitt nebb
specialized formEvery bird sings with its own beak.
