Signification
Disbelieving.
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value 'consensus' and 'indirectness' in conflict. Saying 'Jeg tror ikke det' is a way to avoid 'shaming' the other person for being wrong. Americans might find 'Jeg tror ikke det' a bit vague or non-committal. In the US, a more direct 'I don't think that's right' is common. Germans are often more direct than Norwegians. While they have 'Ich glaube nicht,' they might switch to 'Das stimmt nicht' (That's not true) more quickly than a Norwegian would. Both cultures share a high value for social harmony. 'Jeg tror ikke det' functions very similarly to Japanese indirect negations used to save face.
The 'Det' Rule
Always include 'det' at the end. English speakers often forget it because 'I don't think' is okay in English, but 'Jeg tror ikke' sounds unfinished in Norwegian.
Tror vs Synes
This is the #1 mistake. Use 'tror' for things you can be wrong about (facts). Use 'synes' for things where there is no 'wrong' (taste).
Signification
Disbelieving.
The 'Det' Rule
Always include 'det' at the end. English speakers often forget it because 'I don't think' is okay in English, but 'Jeg tror ikke' sounds unfinished in Norwegian.
Tror vs Synes
This is the #1 mistake. Use 'tror' for things you can be wrong about (facts). Use 'synes' for things where there is no 'wrong' (taste).
The Informal 'Trur'ke'
If you want to sound like a local in Oslo, say 'Trur'ke det'. It's the ultimate casual contraction.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
Er han her? Jeg tror ___ det.
The standard negation in Norwegian is 'ikke'.
Which phrase is the most polite way to say 'I don't think so'?
Someone asks: 'Kommer det til å snø i kveld?'
'Jeg tror ikke det' is the most natural and polite way to express factual doubt.
Complete the dialogue between Anna and Per.
Anna: 'Er butikken åpen?' Per: '___'
All these variations are grammatically correct, though they differ in formality.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a meeting and disagree with a fact.
Use 'tror' for facts in a meeting; 'synes' is for personal taste.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEr han her? Jeg tror ___ det.
The standard negation in Norwegian is 'ikke'.
Someone asks: 'Kommer det til å snø i kveld?'
'Jeg tror ikke det' is the most natural and polite way to express factual doubt.
Anna: 'Er butikken åpen?' Per: '___'
All these variations are grammatically correct, though they differ in formality.
You are in a meeting and disagree with a fact.
Use 'tror' for facts in a meeting; 'synes' is for personal taste.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it sounds incomplete. You must add 'det' to refer to what you're talking about.
Not at all! It's actually more polite than saying 'Nei'.
The second one is more emphatic. You are highlighting the 'that' part of the sentence.
Use it for opinions. Example: 'Is this movie good?' 'Jeg synes ikke det.'
You say 'Eg trur ikkje det.'
Yes, it's perfectly professional. It shows you are being careful with your facts.
It's a contraction of 'tror ikke'. It's very common in spoken Norwegian.
Not exactly. 'I don't believe it' (as in shock) is 'Jeg tror det ikke!' with emphasis on 'ikke'.
No, that is not a natural Norwegian expression.
It can also mean 'believe' in a religious sense, but in this phrase, it means 'think/suppose'.
Expressions liées
Jeg synes ikke det
similarI don't think so (opinion/taste)
Det tror jeg ikke
variationThat, I don't believe.
Jeg håper ikke det
builds onI hope not.
Sikkert ikke
specialized formProbably not.
Neppe
synonymHardly / Doubtful
