Signification
Providing responses
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value 'direkte tale' (direct speech). When answering questions, it is common to get straight to the point without much fluff. In Norwegian universities, there is a strong tradition of 'spørretime' (question hour) where professors 'svarer på spørsmål' in an informal, open setting. Flat hierarchy means even the CEO is expected to 'svare på spørsmål' from the newest intern during 'allmøter' (all-hands meetings). The TV show 'Nytt på nytt' is a famous satire where celebrities 'svarer på spørsmål' about the week's news in a humorous way.
The 'På' Rule
Never say 'svare spørsmålet'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers. Always include 'på'!
Plural Power
Remember that 'spørsmål' is the same in singular and plural. 'Ett spørsmål, to spørsmål'.
Signification
Providing responses
The 'På' Rule
Never say 'svare spørsmålet'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers. Always include 'på'!
Plural Power
Remember that 'spørsmål' is the same in singular and plural. 'Ett spørsmål, to spørsmål'.
Be Direct
In Norway, a short and direct answer is often seen as more honest than a long, winding one.
Formal Alternative
Use 'besvare' in emails to sound more professional, but remember to drop the 'på'!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jeg må svare ___ spørsmålet ditt.
In Norwegian, the verb 'svare' always takes the preposition 'på' when you are answering a question.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct plural form.
'Spørsmål' is a neuter noun that does not change in the indefinite plural.
Complete the dialogue.
Lærer: 'Kan du svare på spørsmålet?' Elev: '___'
The response must maintain the 'svare på' structure.
Match the phrase to the most formal context.
Which one would you use in a formal business letter?
'Besvare' is the formal alternative to 'svare på' and is preferred in business correspondence.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Svare på vs. Besvare
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg må svare ___ spørsmålet ditt.
In Norwegian, the verb 'svare' always takes the preposition 'på' when you are answering a question.
Choose the correct plural form.
'Spørsmål' is a neuter noun that does not change in the indefinite plural.
Lærer: 'Kan du svare på spørsmålet?' Elev: '___'
The response must maintain the 'svare på' structure.
Which one would you use in a formal business letter?
'Besvare' is the formal alternative to 'svare på' and is preferred in business correspondence.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, if the context is clear. For example: 'Vil du svare?' 'Ja, jeg svarer.'
No, 'besvare' is transitive and never takes 'på'.
Indefinite plural is 'spørsmål'. Definite plural is 'spørsmålene'.
Prepositions are often idiomatic. In Norwegian, you answer 'on' a topic or question.
You can say 'Jeg vet ikke svaret' or 'Jeg kan ikke svare på det'.
It is neutral. It works in both formal and informal settings.
No, use 'svare telefonen' or 'ta telefonen'.
'Svar' is the noun (an answer), 'svare' is the verb (to answer).
Takk for at du svarte på spørsmålet mitt.
It is always 'svare på'. You might 'spørre om' something, but you 'svare på' it.
The words might sound different, but the structure 'svare på spørsmål' is universal in Norway.
Yes, but 'respondere på' is more technical or formal.
Expressions liées
å stille et spørsmål
contrastTo ask a question
å besvare
specialized formTo answer (formal)
et svar
builds onAn answer (noun)
å lure på
similarTo wonder about
å gi tilbakemelding
similarTo give feedback
