Kos deg
Enjoy yourself
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A warm, essential Norwegian wish used to tell someone to enjoy their time, whether alone or with others.
- Means: 'Enjoy yourself' or 'Have a cozy time' in almost any relaxed situation.
- Used in: Saying goodbye, starting a meal, or before someone watches a movie.
- Don't confuse: With 'Lykke til' (Good luck), which is for challenges, not enjoyment.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Wishing someone a pleasant time.
Contexte culturel
The 'Fredagskos' (Friday Cozy) is a national institution where families eat tacos and watch 'Nytt på Nytt' on NRK. It is the ultimate expression of the phrase. While the Sami language has its own terms, the Norwegian 'kos' is widely used in Northern Norway, often associated with 'bålkaffe' (coffee made over an open fire). In Norwegian offices, 'lønningspils' (salary beers) are a form of 'kos'. It's common to say 'Kos dere!' to colleagues heading to the pub. Saying 'Skal vi kose oss?' can sometimes have a romantic or sexual connotation, similar to 'Netflix and chill', but it is usually much more innocent.
The 'Videre' Trick
If you are leaving people who are staying, always add 'videre' (Kos dere videre!). It makes you sound like a native.
Don't forget the pronoun
Saying just 'Kos!' is okay in very informal slang, but usually, it needs the 'deg' to be grammatically correct.
Signification
Wishing someone a pleasant time.
The 'Videre' Trick
If you are leaving people who are staying, always add 'videre' (Kos dere videre!). It makes you sound like a native.
Don't forget the pronoun
Saying just 'Kos!' is okay in very informal slang, but usually, it needs the 'deg' to be grammatically correct.
It's not just for people
You can say a cat or dog is 'koser seg' when they are purring or sleeping comfortably.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.
Jeg skal på hytta og kose ___.
Since the subject is 'Jeg' (I), the reflexive pronoun must be 'meg' (myself).
Which phrase is most appropriate when a friend is going to see a movie?
Vennen din skal på kino. Hva sier du?
'Kos deg' is used for enjoyable activities like watching a movie.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are leaving your parents' house after dinner.
You use 'dere' because there are two parents, and 'videre' because they are staying home to continue their evening.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal du reise til Bergen i helgen? B: Ja, jeg gleder meg! A: ___!
'Kos deg masse' is a perfect way to wish someone a great trip.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsVery similar! 'Hygge' is Danish, 'Kos' is Norwegian. 'Kos' is perhaps a bit more active and can be used for physical cuddling too.
Yes, absolutely. It's very common in Norway's informal work culture.
It is 'Kos dere'. Always use 'dere' for two or more people.
No, that would be very disrespectful. Use 'Kondolerer' instead.
Context is key. 95% of the time it's innocent. In a dating context, it can be suggestive, but usually, it just means 'cuddle'.
It's a way to acknowledge and value small moments of happiness, which is a core part of the culture.
You can say 'Takk, i like måte!' (Thanks, likewise!) or 'Takk, det skal jeg!' (Thanks, I will!).
'Kos deg' is the command (imperative). 'Kose deg' is the infinitive (to enjoy yourself).
Yes, 'Kos deg med maten' is very common and friendly.
It's a way to end a message, like 'lots of love' or 'hugs'.
Expressions liées
å ha det hyggelig
synonymTo have a nice time
å nyte
similarTo enjoy/savor
å slappe av
similarTo relax
kosemoseoverdose
specialized formCuddle-mush-overdose
Où l'utiliser
Leaving a Cafe
A: Jeg må gå nå, bussen kommer.
B: Den er grei. Kos deg videre!
Friday Night
A: Skal du se på TV i kveld?
B: Ja, det blir fredagskos med taco.
A: Høres bra ut, kos deg!
Going on Vacation
A: I morgen reiser vi til Spania!
B: Å, så deilig! Kos dere masse i sola!
At the Cinema
A: Her er billettene dine.
B: Takk skal du ha.
A: Bare hyggelig. Kos deg med filmen!
Dating App
A: Jeg skal ut og spise med noen venner nå.
B: Høres hyggelig ut. Kos deg!
Job Interview (Ending)
Interviewer: Takk for i dag. Vi snakkes.
Candidate: Takk! Kos deg videre i dag.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think: 'COZY DEG'. It sounds like 'Cozy Day', which is exactly what you want someone to have!
Visual Association
Imagine a person wrapped in a thick wool blanket, holding a steaming mug of cocoa, sitting by a crackling fire. That feeling is 'Kos'.
Rhyme
Når kvelden er lang og dagen er ferdig, er en liten 'kos' alltid rettferdig.
Story
A traveler arrives in a cold Norwegian village. Everyone is saying 'Kos deg!' to each other. The traveler thinks they are saying 'Cuddle yourself!' and starts hugging himself. A local laughs and hands him a warm cinnamon bun, saying 'No, it just means enjoy this!'
Word Web
Défi
Try to say 'Kos deg' to three different people today: a cashier, a friend, and a family member.
In Other Languages
Disfruta / Pásalo bien
Spanish focuses on the action of enjoying; Norwegian focuses on the state of being cozy.
Profite bien / Amuse-toi
French implies taking advantage of an opportunity; Norwegian implies relaxing into it.
Viel Spaß / Mach dir's gemütlich
German separates 'fun' and 'coziness'; Norwegian 'kos' often combines both.
楽しんでください (Tanoshinde kudasai)
Japanese is a polite request to enjoy; Norwegian is a warm, shared cultural wish.
استمتع (Istamti')
Arabic is more literal; Norwegian is culturally specific to the climate.
好好玩 (Hǎo hǎo wán)
Chinese implies activity; Norwegian can be perfectly passive.
즐거운 시간 보내세요 (Jeulgeoun sigan bonaeseyo)
Korean is more about the 'time' spent; Norwegian is about the 'feeling' felt.
Aproveite / Divirta-se
Portuguese is more energetic; Norwegian is more relaxed.
Easily Confused
Learners use it for any positive wish.
Use 'Lykke til' for challenges (exams); use 'Kos deg' for pleasures (movies).
Both mean 'enjoy'.
'God fornøyelse' is very formal, often used by waiters or theater staff. 'Kos deg' is for friends.
FAQ (10)
Very similar! 'Hygge' is Danish, 'Kos' is Norwegian. 'Kos' is perhaps a bit more active and can be used for physical cuddling too.
Yes, absolutely. It's very common in Norway's informal work culture.
It is 'Kos dere'. Always use 'dere' for two or more people.
No, that would be very disrespectful. Use 'Kondolerer' instead.
Context is key. 95% of the time it's innocent. In a dating context, it can be suggestive, but usually, it just means 'cuddle'.
It's a way to acknowledge and value small moments of happiness, which is a core part of the culture.
You can say 'Takk, i like måte!' (Thanks, likewise!) or 'Takk, det skal jeg!' (Thanks, I will!).
'Kos deg' is the command (imperative). 'Kose deg' is the infinitive (to enjoy yourself).
Yes, 'Kos deg med maten' is very common and friendly.
It's a way to end a message, like 'lots of love' or 'hugs'.
