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B1 verb 8 min de lecture

kle

Exemples Notes et astuces kle en 30 secondes
Explication kle in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know 'kle' in its most basic reflexive form: 'å kle på seg' (to put on clothes). You will use this when talking about your daily routine. You should learn the present tense 'kler' and the imperative 'kled på deg' (though usually said as 'kle på deg'). It is important to remember the word 'seg' (or meg/deg) because in Norwegian, you don't just 'dress,' you 'dress yourself.' At this stage, don't worry about the more complex meanings like 'to suit' or 'to clad a wall.' Just focus on the morning routine: 'Jeg kler på meg klær.'
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At the A2 level, you expand your knowledge to include 'å kle av seg' (to undress) and 'å kle seg ut' (to dress up/disguise). You start to see the past tense 'kledde' and the perfect tense 'har kledd.' You should be able to describe what people are wearing using 'er kledd i.' For example: 'Han er kledd i en blå jakke.' You also begin to understand that 'kle' can mean that something looks good on someone: 'Den fargen kler deg.' This is a very common way to give a simple compliment in Norwegian.
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At the B1 level, you should master the distinction between 'å kle seg' (style/general dressing) and 'å kle på seg' (the physical act). You are expected to use 'kle' in various contexts, such as 'å kle seg etter været' (dressing for the weather), which is a core part of Norwegian culture. You will also encounter 'kle' in more abstract ways, like 'å kle en rolle' (to suit a role). You should be comfortable with the reflexive pronouns across all persons (oss, dere, seg) and be able to use the verb in subordinate clauses correctly.
At the B2 level, you use 'kle' with more nuance and in more formal or idiomatic contexts. You understand that 'å kle' can mean to cover or line a surface (kledning). You are familiar with idioms like 'å kle seg naken' in a metaphorical sense (to expose oneself or be vulnerable). You can distinguish between 'å kle' and more formal verbs like 'å bære' or 'å iføre seg.' Your use of the verb in the passive voice or as a complex adjective (f.eks. 'velkledd' - well-dressed) becomes more natural and frequent in your writing.
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At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic choices involved in using 'kle.' You can use it to describe architecture (fasadekledning) or in literary descriptions where nature 'kler seg' in various seasons. You understand the subtle difference between 'å kle av noen' (to strip someone of their clothes) and the metaphorical 'å kle av noen' (to expose someone's lies or weaknesses). You use the word family extensively, including 'klesdrakt,' 'kleskode,' and 'omkledning,' and you can discuss the social implications of 'å kle seg' in different cultural strata.
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At the C2 level, 'kle' is a tool for precise and evocative language. You might use it in legal or technical discussions regarding 'kledning' of buildings, or in high-level literary analysis where a character's 'klesvalg' (choice of clothes) symbolizes their inner state. You are aware of archaic or rare uses and can play with the word in wordplay or advanced rhetoric. You have a total grasp of all phrasal variations and can use them to convey exactly the right level of formality, irony, or descriptive detail.
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Exemples Notes et astuces

kle en 30 secondes

  • Primary verb for 'to dress' (reflexive) or 'to put on' (phrasal with 'på').
  • Essential for saying a color or style 'suits' someone ('Det kler deg').
  • Used in construction to mean 'to clad' or 'to panel' a wall.
  • Follows the weak verb conjugation: kle, kler, kledde, har kledd.

The Norwegian verb å kle is a versatile and essential part of the B1 vocabulary, primarily revolving around the concept of clothing and appearance. At its most fundamental level, it means 'to dress' or 'to clothe,' but its usage varies significantly depending on whether it is used reflexively, transitively, or as a stative verb describing how something looks on a person. Understanding the nuance between å kle seg (to dress oneself) and å kle på seg (to put on clothes) is a hallmark of moving from an elementary to an intermediate speaker. Furthermore, 'kle' carries an aesthetic dimension that English speakers often express with the verb 'to suit' or 'to look good on.'

Reflexive Action
When you use 'kle' with a reflexive pronoun (seg, meg, deg, etc.), you are describing the general act of dressing or the style of dress. For example, 'Hun kler seg alltid elegant' (She always dresses elegantly) focuses on the manner of dressing.
Phrasal Usage
Adding the preposition 'på' changes the focus to the physical act of putting garments on the body. 'Jeg må kle på meg' implies the process of getting ready to go out or starting the day.

Du må huske å kle deg godt før du går ut i kulda.

In social contexts, 'kle' is frequently used to give compliments. If a Norwegian says, 'Den fargen kler deg,' they are literally saying 'That color dresses you,' which translates to 'That color suits you.' This is one of the most common ways to express that a garment or a style is flattering. It is not limited to clothes; it can also apply to hairstyles, glasses, or even behaviors in a more metaphorical sense. In professional settings, you might hear about 'å kle seg profesjonelt,' emphasizing the cultural importance of dressing appropriately for the environment, which in Norway often leans towards 'smart casual' but functional.

Den nye frisyren kler henne virkelig.

Metaphorical Use
'Å kle' can also mean to cover or line something, such as 'å kle en vegg' (to panel/clad a wall). This shows the verb's transition from fashion to construction and surface treatment.

Vi skal kle om huset med ny kledning til sommeren.

Using 'kle' correctly requires attention to its grammatical environment. It is a weak verb, following the pattern: kle - kler - kledde - har kledd. The most common pitfall for English speakers is omitting the reflexive pronoun when they mean 'to get dressed.' In English, 'I am dressing' is sufficient, but in Norwegian, you must say 'Jeg kler meg.'

The Reflexive Construction
Subject + kle + Reflexive Pronoun (meg, deg, seg, oss, dere, seg). Example: 'Barna kler seg selv nå' (The children dress themselves now).
The Transitive Construction
Subject + kle + Object. Example: 'Foreldrene kledde barna i varme klær' (The parents dressed the children in warm clothes).

Hun kledde seg ut som en sjørøver på karnevalet.

Another important aspect is the use of 'kle' in the passive or as a participle. 'Å være kledd i...' (To be dressed in...) is a very common way to describe what someone is wearing at a specific moment. For instance, 'Han var kledd i svart fra topp til tå' (He was dressed in black from head to toe). This focuses on the state of being dressed rather than the action of putting on the clothes. You can also use adverbs to modify the verb: 'å kle seg om' (to change clothes), 'å kle seg opp' (to dress up/get fancy), and 'å kle seg naken' (to undress completely/strip).

Vi må kle på barna før vi går ut.

The 'Suiting' Pattern
[Garment/Style] + kler + [Person]. Example: 'Kjolen kler henne perfekt' (The dress suits her perfectly).

Det kler deg ikke å være så frekk.

In Norway, conversations about 'kle' are ubiquitous because of the climate. You will hear it every morning in households with children: 'Har du kledd på deg?' (Have you put your clothes on?). In schools and kindergartens, teachers constantly remind students to 'kle seg etter været.' Because Norwegian weather can change in minutes, the discussion of layers (lag-på-lag) and 'å kle seg riktig' is a matter of practical survival and comfort.

Husk å kle deg i ull innerst når det er minusgrader.

You will also encounter 'kle' in the fashion and retail industry. Shop assistants might say, 'Den fargen kler deg veldig godt,' to encourage a purchase. In magazines or blogs, you might read about how to 'kle seg til fest' (dress for a party) or 'hvordan man kler seg for jobbintervju' (how to dress for a job interview). In more formal or literary contexts, 'kle' is used to describe how nature changes, such as 'skogen kler seg i høstfarger' (the forest dresses itself in autumn colors), showing a poetic side to this everyday verb.

De har kledd hele fasaden med malmfuru.

Social Events
At a 'kostymeparty' (costume party), the question 'Hva skal du kle deg ut som?' (What are you going to dress up as?) is standard.

Finally, 'kle' appears in many news reports regarding public figures. Commentators might discuss how a politician 'kler rollen' (suits the role), suggesting they have the right appearance and demeanor for their position. This abstract use of 'kle' is common in media analysis and theater reviews.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is the confusion between 'å kle' and 'å ha på seg'. While both relate to clothes, 'å kle (seg)' is the *action* of putting them on or the *quality* of how they look, whereas 'å ha på seg' is the *state* of wearing them. You cannot say 'Jeg kler en rød genser' to mean 'I am wearing a red sweater'; that would mean 'I am dressing a red sweater' (as if the sweater were a person) or 'I suit a red sweater' (which is grammatically okay but different in meaning).

Missing Reflexive
Incorrect: 'Jeg kler raskt.' Correct: 'Jeg kler meg raskt.' You must specify who you are dressing.
Confusing 'Kle seg' and 'Kle på seg'
'Kle seg' is often about style (He dresses well), while 'Kle på seg' is about the physical act (He is putting on his pants).

Feil: Jeg kler min jakke. Riktig: Jeg kler på meg jakken.

Another error involves the past tense. Since 'kle' ends in a vowel, it follows the 'de'-ending rule for weak verbs (kledde). Some learners mistakenly try to use a 'te' ending (klette), which is incorrect. Additionally, learners often forget that 'å kle av seg' (to undress) is also reflexive. Saying 'Jeg kledde av' sounds incomplete to a Norwegian ear; you must say 'Jeg kledde av meg.'

Husk: Du kler deg ut (dress up), men du pynter deg (dress up nicely).

While 'kle' is the general word for dressing, Norwegian has several more specific alternatives depending on the context. Understanding these will help you sound more natural and precise.

Pynte seg
This means to dress up for a special occasion, like a wedding or a party. It implies putting on jewelry, makeup, or a suit. 'Vi må pynte oss til 17. mai.'
Ha på seg / Bære
'Ha på seg' is 'to wear.' 'Bære' is more formal, like 'to carry/wear a garment' (usually used for formal wear or uniforms). 'Han bar uniformen med stolthet.'
Skifte
Short for 'skifte klær' (to change clothes). 'Jeg må skifte før vi drar.'

Det er stor forskjell på å kle seg ut og å pynte seg.

In the sense of 'to suit,' you can also use å passe, but with a nuance. 'Kjolen passer' usually means it fits (the size is right), whereas 'Kjolen kler deg' means it looks good on you (the style/color is right). Another alternative is å stå til, which means 'to match' or 'to go well with.' For example, 'Skoene står til vesken' (The shoes match the bag). Using 'kle' is more personal, focusing on the relationship between the person and the garment.

Le savais-tu ?

The word is closely related to 'klut' (cloth/rag), showing that the root refers to the material itself before it became a verb for the action of dressing.

Guide de prononciation

UK /kleː/
US /kleɪ/
Single syllable, primary stress on the entire word.
Rime avec
se be le tre ske sne te ve
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing it like the English word 'clay'.
  • Making the 'e' too short (like 'kleh').
  • Adding an 'r' sound at the end in the infinitive.
  • Confusing the past tense 'kledde' with 'kledte'.
  • Pronouncing the 'd's in 'kledde' too sharply; they are soft and voiced.
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Exemples par niveau

1

Jeg kler på meg nå.

I am putting on my clothes now.

Uses reflexive 'meg' with the phrasal 'på'.

2

Kler du på deg?

Are you putting on your clothes?

Question form with reflexive 'deg'.

3

Barnet kler på seg.

The child is putting on clothes.

Reflexive 'seg' for third person singular.

4

Vi kler på oss jakker.

We are putting on jackets.

Reflexive 'oss' for first person plural.

5

Husk å kle på deg!

Remember to put your clothes on!

Imperative phrase.

6

Han kler på seg genseren.

He is putting on the sweater.

Transitive use with reflexive 'seg'.

7

Dere må kle på dere.

You (plural) must put on your clothes.

Reflexive 'dere' for second person plural.

8

Jeg kler på meg sko.

I am putting on shoes.

Basic reflexive action.

1

Hun kler seg alltid pent.

She always dresses nicely.

Reflexive 'seg' without 'på' focuses on style.

2

Den røde fargen kler deg.

The red color suits you.

Transitive use meaning 'to suit'.

3

Jeg kledde av meg før jeg dusjet.

I undressed before I showered.

Past tense 'kledde' with reflexive 'meg'.

4

De kler seg ut til Halloween.

They are dressing up for Halloween.

Phrasal verb 'kle seg ut'.

5

Han er kledd i en svart dress.

He is dressed in a black suit.

Passive construction 'er kledd i'.

6

Vi må kle oss for vinteren.

We must dress for the winter.

Reflexive 'oss' with preposition 'for'.

7

Kler denne hatten meg?

Does this hat suit me?

Question using 'kle' as 'to suit'.

8

Barna kledde seg raskt.

The children dressed quickly.

Past tense reflexive.

1

Det er viktig å kle seg etter været i Norge.

It is important to dress according to the weather in Norway.

Infinitive reflexive phrase.

2

Hun kler rollen som leder veldig godt.

She suits the role of leader very well.

Metaphorical use of 'to suit'.

3

Han kledde om til treningstøy.

He changed into workout clothes.

Phrasal verb 'kle om' (to change).

4

Hvorfor kledde du deg ikke ut?

Why didn't you dress up (in costume)?

Negative question in past tense.

5

De har kledd veggene med trepanel.

They have clad the walls with wood paneling.

Perfect tense meaning 'to cover/clad'.

6

Jeg føler meg velkledd i dag.

I feel well-dressed today.

Compound adjective 'velkledd'.

7

Du må kle på barna før vi drar.

You must dress the children before we leave.

Transitive use (dressing someone else).

8

Kjolen kler henne, men den er for dyr.

The dress suits her, but it is too expensive.

Contrastive sentence using 'kle' as 'suit'.

1

Han kledde av henne med blikket.

He undressed her with his eyes.

Idiomatic/Literary expression.

2

Bygningen er kledd i glass og stål.

The building is clad in glass and steel.

Architectural use of 'kledd'.

3

Det kler deg ikke å være så kynisk.

It doesn't suit you to be so cynical.

Abstract use regarding personality/behavior.

4

Hun kledde seg naken for kunsten.

She stripped naked for the art.

Specific phrase 'kle seg naken'.

5

Etter skandalen ble han kledd av offentlig.

After the scandal, he was stripped (exposed) publicly.

Metaphorical passive use meaning 'exposed'.

6

Vi kler opp stuen til jul.

We are dressing up the living room for Christmas.

Metaphorical 'kle opp' for spaces.

7

Han er alltid ulastelig kledd.

He is always impeccably dressed.

Adverbial phrase with participle.

8

Kan du kle om denne stolen?

Can you reupholster this chair?

Technical use 'kle om' (to re-cover).

1

Naturen kler seg i sin vakreste skrud.

Nature dresses in its most beautiful attire.

Poetic/Literary personification.

2

Han kler ordene sine i silke.

He clothes his words in silk (speaks very smoothly/deceptively).

Highly metaphorical expression.

3

Fasadekledningen må byttes ut hvert tyvende år.

The exterior cladding must be replaced every twenty years.

Noun derivative 'fasadekledning'.

4

Hennes klesstil kler hennes rebelske natur.

Her style of dress suits her rebellious nature.

Complex abstract subject and object.

5

Han kledde seg i ydmykhet før møtet.

He clothed himself in humility before the meeting.

Metaphorical use of 'kle seg i'.

6

Den nye loven er kledd i tvetydighet.

The new law is shrouded (clothed) in ambiguity.

Abstract passive construction.

7

De kledde av argumentene hans ett etter ett.

They stripped his arguments down one by one.

Metaphorical 'kle av' meaning 'to debunk'.

8

Å kle seg er en politisk handling.

Dressing oneself is a political act.

Gerund-like infinitive use.

1

Forfatteren kler sine karakterer i komplekse motiver.

The author clothes his characters in complex motives.

Advanced literary metaphor.

2

Sannheten står der, kledd naken for alle å se.

The truth stands there, stripped bare for all to see.

Participial phrase used for dramatic effect.

3

Det kler ikke en mann i din posisjon å fare med løgn.

It does not befit a man in your position to peddle lies.

Formal use of 'kle' as 'befit/suit'.

4

Byens torg var kledd til trengsel med folk.

The city square was packed (clothed to crowding) with people.

Rare, archaic-leaning descriptive use.

5

Hun kledde av seg alle sosiale pretensjoner.

She stripped away all social pretensions.

Metaphorical reflexive use.

6

Maleriet er kledd i mørke, melankolske toner.

The painting is draped (clothed) in dark, melancholy tones.

Artistic descriptive use.

7

Han har en egen evne til å kle sine tanker i treffende bilder.

He has a unique ability to clothe his thoughts in striking imagery.

Complex infinitive construction.

8

Klesdrakten kler ikke bare kroppen, men også sjelen.

The attire clothes not just the body, but also the soul.

Philosophical parallel structure.

Collocations courantes

kle seg etter været
kle seg ut
kle seg opp
kle seg naken
kle seg profesjonelt
kle på barna
kle en rolle
kle om
kle en vegg
velkledd person

Phrases Courantes

Det kler deg!

— That suits you! Used as a compliment for clothes or hair.

Den nye fargen kler deg virkelig!

Kle på deg!

— Put your clothes on! A common command for children.

Skynd deg, kle på deg nå!

Å kle seg i lag

— To dress in layers. Essential advice for Norwegian winters.

Det er best å kle seg i lag når det er kaldt.

Hva kler jeg?

— What suits me? Asking for fashion advice.

Hvilken av disse kjolene kler jeg best?

Å kle seg nøytralt

— To dress neutrally. Avoiding flashy clothes.

Han foretrekker å kle seg nøytralt.

Kle av seg ansvaret

— To strip oneself of responsibility (metaphorical).

Han prøvde å kle av seg ansvaret for feilen.

Kledd for suksess

— Dressed for success. Similar to the English idiom.

Hun kom til intervjuet kledd for suksess.

Å kle seg varmt

— To dress warmly.

Husk å kle deg varmt i dag!

Å kle seg om

— To change clothes (usually for a different activity).

Jeg kler om til joggetøy.

Være kledd i...

— To be dressed in... Used to describe current attire.

Hun var kledd i en rød kåpe.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Å kle av noen"

— To expose someone's true (often negative) nature or to debunk their arguments.

Journalisten kledde av politikeren i debatten.

Informal/Journalistic
"Å kle seg naken"

— To show one's true self or vulnerabilities; to be completely honest.

I boken kler forfatteren seg naken for leseren.

Literary
"Keiserens nye klær"

— The Emperor's New Clothes. Refers to something widely praised despite being worthless or non-existent.

Hele prosjektet er som keiserens nye klær.

Cultural Reference
"Å kle seg i sekk og aske"

— To dress in sackcloth and ashes. To show extreme regret or penance.

Han kledde seg i sekk og aske etter feilen.

Idiomatic/Biblical
"Det kler ikke en..."

— It does not befit a... Used to criticize behavior based on status.

Det kler ikke en lærer å banne.

Formal
"Å kle seg til trengsel"

— To be so many people that it's like a 'cladding' of the space.

Folk kledde gatene til trengsel.

Archaic/Poetic
"Å kle ordene i..."

— To phrase something in a specific way (e.g., in mystery).

Han kledde svaret i gåter.

Literary
"Å kle på en løgn"

— To make a lie look like the truth (to 'dress up' a lie).

De kledde på løgnen så den så troverdig ut.

Metaphorical
"Å kle seg ut av sin egen hud"

— To try to be someone else entirely (very rare).

Hun prøvde å kle seg ut av sin egen hud.

Poetic
"Ulastelig kledd"

— Impeccably dressed; without a single fault in attire.

Han var som vanlig ulastelig kledd.

Formal

Famille de mots

Noms

klær (clothes)
kledning (cladding/paneling)
klesplagg (garment)
omkledning (changing clothes)
klesvask (laundry)

Verbes

avkle (to undress/expose)
bekle (to occupy a position/cover)
omkle (to reupholster/change)
utkle (to disguise)

Adjectifs

kledelig (becoming/flattering)
velkledd (well-dressed)
lett kledd (lightly dressed)
nakenkledd (barely dressed)

Apparenté

mote (fashion)
stil (style)
tekstil (textile)
garderobe (wardrobe)
skredder (tailor)
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Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Kle' as 'Cl'othe. It starts with the same letters as 'Clothes'. When you 'Kle', you put on 'Klær'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a 'Clay' (sounds like kle) mannequin being dressed in beautiful Norwegian wool sweaters.

Word Web

Klær Mote Vær Seg På Av Ut Pent

Défi

Try to describe your morning routine using 'kle på meg' and give three compliments to friends using 'Det kler deg'.

Origine du mot

Derived from Old Norse 'klæða', which comes from Proto-Germanic '*klaiþijana'.

Sens originel : To provide with cloth or garments.

Germanic, related to English 'clothe' and German 'kleiden'.

Contexte culturel

In English, we use 'to dress' or 'to suit'. Norwegians use 'kle' for both, which can be confusing at first.

Keiserens nye klær (H.C. Andersen story) En velkledd herre (Common literary trope) Kle deg etter været (National proverb)
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