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A1 noun 5 min de lecture

genser

When we talk about 'genser' in Norwegian, we're referring to a knitted garment worn on the upper body. It's essentially what you'd call a 'sweater' or 'jumper' in English. This is a very common word, especially useful when discussing clothing or shopping.

For example, if you're out and about and it's a bit chilly, you might say 'Jeg trenger en varm genser' (I need a warm sweater). Or, if you're complimenting someone's attire, you could say 'Fin genser!' (Nice sweater!). It's a staple in the Norwegian wardrobe, given the climate.

When we talk about a «genser» in Norwegian, we're referring to a knitted garment that covers the upper body. Think of it like a sweater or a jumper in English. It's a very common and practical piece of clothing, especially given Norway's climate. You'll hear this word frequently, and it's a good one to learn early on.

Entraîne-toi Exemples

genser en 30 secondes

Knitted garment.
Worn on upper body.
Similar to a sweater.

§ Genser: Not Always a "Jumper" or "Pullover"

Many English speakers learn genser as "jumper" or "pullover." While often correct, these English terms aren't always perfect matches, leading to slight misunderstandings in Norwegian. A genser is simply a knitted garment for the upper body. It's a very common word, so getting it right is important.

§ Using "Genser" for Non-Knitted Items

A common mistake is using genser for non-knitted garments. Remember, genser specifically refers to something knitted. For example, a sweatshirt, which is typically made of fleece or cotton, is not a genser.

Wrong: Jeg har på meg en genser (sweatshirt).
Right: Jeg har på meg en collegegenser (sweatshirt).

The correct word for a sweatshirt is collegegenser or just hettegenser if it has a hood. Be precise!

§ Confusing "Genser" with "Jakke" (Jacket)

Another mistake is mixing up genser with jakke (jacket). A genser is usually pulled over the head and does not have an opening down the front. A jakke typically opens in the front with a zipper or buttons.

Jeg tok på meg en varm genser da det ble kaldt. (I put on a warm sweater when it got cold.)

Han lukket jakken sin fordi det blåste. (He closed his jacket because it was windy.)

§ Gender and Definite Forms: Keeping it Straight

Genser is a masculine noun. This means its definite singular form is genseren and its indefinite plural form is gensere. The definite plural form is genserne.

Indefinite Singular: en genser (a sweater)
Definite Singular: genseren (the sweater)
Indefinite Plural: flere gensere (several sweaters)
Definite Plural: genserne (the sweaters)

Jeg kjøpte en ny genser. (I bought a new sweater.)

Genseren er varm og god. (The sweater is warm and good.)

Incorrectly using feminine or neuter articles or endings is a common slip-up for beginners. Always remember: it's en genser.

§ "Sweater Vest" is Not Just "Genser"

While a sweater vest is a type of knitted garment, it's more specific than just genser. You'll typically hear it referred to as a vest or genser-vest, sometimes even ermeløs genser (sleeveless sweater).

Wrong: Jeg liker min nye genser (sweater vest).
Right: Jeg liker min nye vest (sweater vest).

Being specific helps you sound more natural in Norwegian. Pay attention to these nuances, and you'll improve quickly.

§ Genser: Sweater, Jumper, or Pullover

The Norwegian word genser is quite versatile. It refers to a knitted garment worn on the upper body. In English, you might use 'sweater,' 'jumper,' or 'pullover' interchangeably for this type of clothing. It's a common word, and you'll hear it a lot in everyday conversation.

DEFINITION: Knitted garment for the upper body.

Let's look at some examples:

Jeg tok på meg en varm genser før jeg gikk ut. (I put on a warm sweater before I went out.)

Denne genseren er laget av ull. (This jumper is made of wool.)

§ Similar Words and Nuances

While genser is the most common term, there are a few other words you might encounter. Understanding the subtle differences will help you sound more natural.

Strikkegenser: This literally means 'knitted sweater.' While genser implies it's knitted, adding strikke- emphasizes the knitting aspect. You might use this if you want to be specific about the garment being hand-knitted, or just to add a bit of emphasis.

Farmor strikket en fin strikkegenser til meg. (Grandma knitted a nice sweater for me.)

Pullover: This word is directly borrowed from English and is also used in Norwegian, especially for more casual, often lighter-weight sweaters that are pulled over the head. It's less common than genser, but you might hear it.

Han hadde på seg en enkel pullover. (He was wearing a simple pullover.)

Kofte: This is a more traditional Norwegian cardigan or jacket, often intricately patterned and made of wool. While it's a knitted garment, it's typically open at the front with buttons or clasps, differentiating it from a genser which is usually pulled over the head. You wouldn't use genser for a kofte.

Hun arvet en vakker gammel kofte. (She inherited a beautiful old cardigan/traditional jacket.)

Cardigan: Just like in English, a cardigan in Norwegian refers to an open-front knitted garment, usually with buttons. Again, this is distinct from a genser because it opens at the front.

Jeg trenger en lett cardigan for kvelden. (I need a light cardigan for the evening.)

§ When to use Genser

When in doubt, use genser. It's the most common and general term for a knitted top, regardless of its material (though it's often assumed to be wool or a wool blend) or specific style, as long as it's pulled over the head.

Here's a quick summary:

Use genser for any knitted top that you pull over your head.
Use strikkegenser if you want to emphasize it's knitted.
Use pullover for a lightweight, casual sweater (less common).
Use kofte for a traditional, often patterned, open-front knitted jacket.
Use cardigan for a modern, open-front knitted garment.

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you'll be able to talk about knitted clothing in Norwegian with more precision and confidence. Practice using genser in your sentences, and you'll quickly get comfortable with it.

Exemples par niveau

Jeg har en varm genser.

I have a warm sweater.

Hun kjøper en ny genser.

She buys a new sweater.

Genseren er rød.

The sweater is red.

Han liker genseren sin.

He likes his sweater.

Er genseren din blå?

Is your sweater blue?

Jeg tar på meg genseren.

I put on the sweater.

Genseren er myk.

The sweater is soft.

Vi trenger en tykk genser om vinteren.

We need a thick sweater in the winter.

Jeg har på meg en varm genser i dag.

I'm wearing a warm sweater today.

Hun strikker en ny genser til vinteren.

She is knitting a new sweater for the winter.

Denne genseren er veldig myk.

This sweater is very soft.

Kjøpte du den genseren i går?

Did you buy that sweater yesterday?

Han foretrekker gensere med glidelås.

He prefers sweaters with zippers.

Vask genseren forsiktig for hånd.

Wash the sweater gently by hand.

Den røde genseren passer godt til jeans.

The red sweater goes well with jeans.

Hvor er den grå genseren min?

Where is my grey sweater?

Den nyinnkjøpte kasjmirgenseren var så myk mot huden at jeg nesten glemte hvor kaldt det var ute.

The newly-bought cashmere sweater was so soft against the skin that I almost forgot how cold it was outside.

Hun strikket en intrikat mønstret genser til barnebarnet, et arvestykke som ville vare i generasjoner.

She knitted an intricately patterned sweater for her grandchild, a heirloom that would last for generations.

Selv om genseren var falmet og slitt, holdt den fortsatt varmen like godt som en ny.

Even though the sweater was faded and worn, it still kept warm just as well as a new one.

Etter å ha klatret i flere timer, var en varm ullgenser en velsignelse mot den bitende fjellvinden.

After climbing for several hours, a warm wool sweater was a blessing against the biting mountain wind.

Han foretrakk alltid en enkel, ensfarget genser som kunne kombineres med de fleste antrekk.

He always preferred a simple, solid-colored sweater that could be combined with most outfits.

Det var en uuttalt regel at man aldri lånte bort favorittgenseren sin, uansett hvor nær vennen var.

It was an unspoken rule that one never lent out their favorite sweater, no matter how close the friend was.

Designeren presenterte en kolleksjon hvor hver genser var et kunstverk i seg selv, håndlaget med utsøkte detaljer.

The designer presented a collection where each sweater was a work of art in itself, handmade with exquisite details.

Til tross for advarslene om å vaske ullforsiktig, krympet genseren i maskinen til den knapt passet en dukke.

Despite the warnings about washing wool carefully, the sweater shrunk in the machine until it barely fit a doll.

Souvent confondu avec

genser vs genser

A pullover, typically knitted.

genser vs jakke

A general term for a jacket, often with an opening.

genser vs cardigan

A knitted jacket with an opening in the front.

Facile à confondre

genser vs genser

Often confused with 'jakke' (jacket) or 'cardigan' (cardigan), which are also garments for the upper body.

A 'genser' is typically a pullover, while a 'jakke' usually has an opening in the front, often with a zipper or buttons. A 'cardigan' is a type of 'jakke' that is knitted.

Jeg har på meg en varm genser i dag. (I am wearing a warm sweater today.)

genser vs jakke

Can be confused with 'genser' (sweater) or 'frakk' (coat).

A 'jakke' is a general term for a jacket. A 'genser' is a pullover sweater. A 'frakk' is usually longer and heavier than a jacket, meant for colder weather or more formal occasions.

Jeg trenger en ny jakke til vinteren. (I need a new jacket for the winter.)

genser vs frakk

Sometimes confused with 'jakke' (jacket) due to both being outer garments.

A 'frakk' is generally longer and more substantial than a 'jakke', often reaching to the knees or below, and is typically worn for colder weather or more formal settings.

Han tok på seg en lang frakk før han gikk ut. (He put on a long coat before he went out.)

genser vs skjorte

Can be confused with 'bluse' (blouse) or 'genser' (sweater).

A 'skjorte' is a collared shirt, usually made of woven fabric. A 'bluse' is a more feminine top, often made of lighter fabric and can have various necklines. A 'genser' is a knitted pullover.

Han strøk skjorten sin før jobb. (He ironed his shirt before work.)

genser vs bukse

Might be confused with 'jeans' (jeans) or 'shorts' (shorts).

'Bukse' is the general term for trousers or pants. 'Jeans' are a specific type of 'bukse' made of denim. 'Shorts' are short pants.

Jeg må kjøpe en ny bukse. (I need to buy new pants.)