When you want to express a contrast or something unexpected, likevel is your word. It's an adverb that means 'nevertheless' or 'all the same'. You use it to show that despite what was just said or what is known, something else is still true or happens.
Think of it as saying 'even so' or 'however' in English. It often appears after the verb in a sentence, or sometimes at the beginning to strongly link back to a previous statement. Mastering likevel will make your Norwegian sound much more natural and allow you to express more complex ideas.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
The Norwegian word likevel is an adverb that you will hear and use a lot. It's a common word, and it’s very useful for expressing a specific kind of contrast or concession. In English, it translates to "nevertheless," "even so," "still," or "all the same."
- DEFINITION
- Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or is contrary to something that has just been said or implied. It shows that despite a previous fact or situation, something else is true or happens.
Think of likevel as a word that connects two ideas. The first idea sets up an expectation, and the second idea, introduced by likevel, goes against that expectation. It's like saying, "This is true, BUT despite that, this other thing is also true."
Here are some common situations where you would use likevel:
To express a contrast despite a difficulty:
Det regnet, men vi dro på tur likevel.
Translation hint: "It rained, but we went on a trip nevertheless." (Despite the rain, we still went.)
To express something that is true despite a negative fact:
Han er syk, men han smiler likevel.
Translation hint: "He is sick, but he is smiling still." (Even though he's sick, he's smiling.)
To confirm something despite doubt:
Jeg trodde ikke han kom, men han dukket opp likevel.
Translation hint: "I didn't think he would come, but he showed up all the same." (Contrary to my belief, he came.)
When someone does something despite being advised not to:
Legen sa han skulle hvile, men han jobbet likevel.
Translation hint: "The doctor said he should rest, but he worked nevertheless." (Despite the doctor's advice, he worked.)
It's important not to confuse likevel with words like "men" (but) or "selv om" (even though). While they all introduce some form of contrast, likevel specifically emphasizes that something happens despite a preceding fact. "Men" is a conjunction that just connects two contrasting ideas. "Selv om" is a subordinate conjunction that introduces a clause, whereas likevel is an adverb modifying the main clause.
Hun var sliten, men hun fortsatte.
Translation hint: "She was tired, but she continued." (Simple contrast.)
Selv om hun var sliten, fortsatte hun.
Translation hint: "Even though she was tired, she continued." (Subordinate clause.)
Hun var sliten. Hun fortsatte likevel.
Translation hint: "She was tired. She continued nevertheless." (Emphasizing the continuation despite tiredness.)
In everyday conversation, you'll hear likevel used to soften a refusal, to confirm an earlier point, or to add a surprising twist to a statement. It’s a very versatile word for adding nuance to your Norwegian. Mastering its use will make your speech sound much more natural and fluent.
Niveau de difficulté
short and common
straightforward spelling
easy pronunciation
common in speech
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Expressions idiomatiques
"gå rett på sak"
To get straight to the point
La oss gå rett på sak. Hva er problemet?
neutral"ta det med ro"
To take it easy, relax
Du trenger å ta det litt med ro.
neutral"være på nippet til"
To be on the verge of
Jeg var på nippet til å gi opp.
neutral"ha noe på hjertet"
To have something on one's mind
Jeg har noe på hjertet som jeg må fortelle deg.
neutral"være i vinden"
To be popular, trendy
Den sangen er virkelig i vinden nå.
neutral"stille og rolig"
Quiet and calm
Han er alltid så stille og rolig.
neutral"være med på notene"
To be in agreement, play along
Er du med på notene?
informal"ha en finger med i spillet"
To have a hand in something, be involved
Jeg tror han hadde en finger med i spillet.
neutral"komme til kort"
To fall short, be inadequate
Vi kom til kort på grunn av manglende ressurser.
neutral"gå for fullt"
To go at full speed, be fully operational
Fabrikken går for fullt hele døgnet.
neutralAstuces
Basic use of likevel
Likevel means 'nevertheless' or 'even so'. You use it when something happens or is true, despite something else that was said or expected. It shows a contrast or a surprise.
Placement in a sentence
Often, likevel comes after the verb in a main clause. For example: 'Det regnet, men jeg gikk likevel ut.' (It rained, but I nevertheless went out.)
Use with 'men' (but)
It's very common to see likevel used with 'men' (but). 'Han var syk, men han kom likevel på jobb.' (He was sick, but he nevertheless came to work.) The 'men' introduces the contrasting information, and 'likevel' emphasizes it.
Expressing concession
Think of likevel as expressing a concession. You admit something (like it's raining) but then state something contrary (you're still going out). 'Hun sa hun var sliten, men hun hjalp oss likevel.' (She said she was tired, but she nevertheless helped us.)
Synonyms and close meanings
While 'likevel' is quite specific, sometimes 'allikevel' can be used with a similar meaning, though it might feel a little more emphatic. Stick to 'likevel' for now, it's very common.
Sentence starter
You can sometimes start a sentence with likevel for emphasis, especially if it's a response. 'Du skulle ikke komme.' 'Likevel er jeg her!' (You weren't supposed to come. Nevertheless, I'm here!)
Distinguish from 'still'
Don't confuse likevel with 'still' (fortsatt). Fortsatt means something is ongoing. Likevel means something happens despite something else. 'Han er fortsatt her.' (He is still here.) vs. 'Han ville ikke komme, men han kom likevel.' (He didn't want to come, but he came nevertheless.)
Negative contexts
Likevel works well in negative contexts. 'Jeg ventet lenge, men han kom likevel ikke.' (I waited a long time, but he nevertheless didn't come.) Here, it still expresses a contrast to the expectation.
Practice with examples
The best way to learn is by seeing and making sentences. Try to form sentences about things that are happening despite an obstacle. 'Jeg er trøtt, men jeg må likevel jobbe.' (I am tired, but I nevertheless have to work.)
Listen for it
Pay attention to how native speakers use likevel in conversations, TV shows, or podcasts. You'll notice it's a very frequent and useful word for expressing everyday contrasts and unexpected outcomes.
Teste-toi 12 questions
Han var syk, ___ kom han på jobb.
The sentence implies a contrast: despite being sick, he came to work. 'Likevel' (nevertheless) fits this meaning.
Det regnet, ___ gikk vi ut en tur.
The statement shows a contradiction: even though it was raining, they went out. 'Likevel' is used for such contrasts.
Hun studerte hardt, ___ strøk hun på eksamen.
Despite studying hard, she failed. 'Likevel' emphasizes this unexpected outcome.
Bilen var gammel, ___ fungerte den bra.
The car's age is contrasted with its good performance. 'Likevel' (nevertheless) connects these opposing ideas.
Det var sent, ___ begynte de å se en film.
It was late, but they started a movie anyway. 'Likevel' conveys this sense of 'despite that'.
Han hadde lite penger, ___ kjøpte han en ny telefon.
He had little money, yet he bought a new phone. 'Likevel' highlights this counter-intuitive action.
Han mistet jobben, men fortsatte å jobbe hardt for å finne en ny, ___.
'Likevel' (nevertheless) passer best her for å vise kontrasten mellom å miste jobben og fortsatt jobbe hardt.
Været var forferdelig, og turen ble utsatt, ___ var stemningen god.
'Likevel' (nevertheless) indikerer at den gode stemningen var til stede tross det dårlige været og utsettelsen.
Prosjektet møtte mange uforutsette utfordringer; ___ klarte teamet å levere i tide.
'Likevel' (nevertheless) viser at teamet lyktes med å levere i tide til tross for utfordringene.
Hun hadde sovet dårlig i natt, men følte seg ___ opplagt til møtet.
'Likevel' (nevertheless) passer her for å uttrykke at hun følte seg opplagt til tross for lite søvn.
Han visste at det ville bli vanskelig, men bestemte seg ___ for å prøve.
'Likevel' (nevertheless) indikerer at han valgte å prøve selv om han visste det ville bli vanskelig.
Boken var lang og kompleks, men den var ___ svært givende å lese.
'Likevel' (nevertheless) passer for å vise at boken var givende til tross for dens lengde og kompleksitet.
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Basic use of likevel
Likevel means 'nevertheless' or 'even so'. You use it when something happens or is true, despite something else that was said or expected. It shows a contrast or a surprise.
Placement in a sentence
Often, likevel comes after the verb in a main clause. For example: 'Det regnet, men jeg gikk likevel ut.' (It rained, but I nevertheless went out.)
Use with 'men' (but)
It's very common to see likevel used with 'men' (but). 'Han var syk, men han kom likevel på jobb.' (He was sick, but he nevertheless came to work.) The 'men' introduces the contrasting information, and 'likevel' emphasizes it.
Expressing concession
Think of likevel as expressing a concession. You admit something (like it's raining) but then state something contrary (you're still going out). 'Hun sa hun var sliten, men hun hjalp oss likevel.' (She said she was tired, but she nevertheless helped us.)
