A1 verb 13 min de lecture
At the A1 level, 'vise' is introduced as a fundamental verb meaning 'to show'. Learners will encounter it in simple sentences like 'Jeg viser deg.' (I show you.) or 'Kan du vise meg?' (Can you show me?). The focus is on the direct, physical act of making something visible or pointing something out. Examples will involve showing objects, pictures, or directions. The present tense 'viser' and past tense 'viste' are the primary forms to learn at this stage. The core concept is the active act of making something apparent to another person.
For A2 learners, the usage of 'vise' expands to include showing abstract concepts like interest or respect. They will also start using it in more complex sentence structures, including the perfect tense with 'vist'. The distinction between 'vise' and 'se' becomes more important, as does understanding the common structure 'vise + person + object'. Phrases like 'vise frem' (to show off) might be introduced as common collocations.
At the B1 level, learners are expected to use 'vise' with greater fluency and accuracy. They will understand its nuances in various contexts, including demonstrating skills, presenting information, and expressing qualities. They will also be comfortable with reflexive uses like 'vise seg' (to appear/show oneself). The ability to differentiate 'vise' from similar verbs like 'demonstrere' or 'peke på' will be assessed. They can also use it in more complex sentence constructions and understand its role in idiomatic expressions.
Core Meaning
The Norwegian verb 'vise' primarily means 'to show'. It's used when you want to make something visible or known to someone else. This can be a physical object, an idea, a feeling, or even a direction. It's a fundamental verb that you'll encounter very frequently in everyday Norwegian conversations and writing.
Showing Objects
The most straightforward use of 'vise' is when you are physically presenting an object to someone. For instance, if you have a photo you want to share, you would 'vise' it. Similarly, if you are demonstrating how something works, you are 'showing' its function.
Indicating Information
'Vise' can also be used to indicate information, like pointing out a place on a map or showing a result. If a doctor shows you the results of a test, they 'viser' them. If a signpost 'shows' the way to a town, it uses 'vise'.
Demonstrating Skills or Feelings
Beyond physical objects, 'vise' can be used to express or demonstrate something less tangible. You can 'show' courage (vise mot), 'show' interest (vise interesse), or 'show' a particular emotion. This usage implies making an internal state external and observable.
Common Scenarios
You'll hear 'vise' in many common situations. When someone asks to see something, you might reply, 'Ja, jeg kan vise deg' (Yes, I can show you). In a classroom, a teacher might 'vise' an example. When directions are given, they often 'vise' the path. It's an active verb indicating the act of making something known or visible.

Han skal vise oss bildet.

Kan du vise meg veien?

Hun viser stor interesse for prosjektet.

Flexibility of 'Vise'
The verb 'vise' is quite versatile. It can be used transitively (taking a direct object) or intransitively. For example, 'Jeg viser deg' (I show you) is transitive, while in a context like 'Han viser godt' (He shows well, meaning he performs well or presents himself well), it can feel more intransitive.
Related Concepts
'Vise' is closely related to concepts of demonstration, presentation, and revelation. When you 'vise' something, you are revealing it to an audience or an individual. This act of making something apparent is central to the verb's meaning.
Common Prefixes and Suffixes
While 'vise' itself is a simple verb, its root can appear in compound words or phrases that extend its meaning. For instance, 'utvise' means to expel or deport, and 'bevise' means to prove. Understanding the core meaning of 'vise' helps in deciphering these related terms.
Everyday Interactions
In daily life, you might ask someone to 'vise' you their new car, or a shop assistant might 'vise' you different products. Tourists often ask locals to 'vise' them the way to a landmark. It's a verb that facilitates interaction and the sharing of information and experiences.

Læreren viste eksempelet på tavlen.

De viser oss kartet.

Kan du vise meg hvordan man gjør det?

Contextual Nuances
While 'show' is the primary translation, 'vise' can sometimes carry connotations of 'displaying' or 'presenting' in a more formal or artistic sense. For example, an art gallery 'viser' art. However, for A1 learners, focusing on the direct meaning of 'to show' is most beneficial.
Basic Structure
The simplest way to use 'vise' is with a subject and the verb itself, often followed by what is being shown. For example: 'Jeg viser bildet.' (I show the picture.) Here, 'Jeg' is the subject, 'viser' is the present tense of 'vise', and 'bildet' is the direct object.
Showing to Someone
To indicate who you are showing something to, you add the indirect object, usually with the preposition 'til' or directly if it's a pronoun. 'Jeg viser bildet til deg.' (I show the picture to you.) or more commonly, 'Jeg viser deg bildet.' (I show you the picture.) The latter is more idiomatic and frequent.
Asking to See
When you want to ask someone to show you something, you can use the imperative or a question. 'Vis meg!' (Show me!) is a direct command. A polite question would be: 'Kan du vise meg?' (Can you show me?).
Past Tense Usage
The past tense of 'vise' is 'viste'. So, if something happened yesterday, you would say: 'Jeg viste ham nøklene i går.' (I showed him the keys yesterday.)
Past Participle
The past participle is 'vist'. This is used in perfect tenses, like 'Jeg har vist deg dette før.' (I have shown you this before.)

Læreren viser oss hvordan vi skal skrive.

Han viste meg veien til stasjonen.

Har du vist dem kartet?

Showing Directions
A very common use is showing directions. 'Kan du vise meg veien?' (Can you show me the way?) is a phrase you'll hear and want to use often. You can also use it with specific destinations: 'Han viste meg veien til biblioteket.' (He showed me the way to the library.)
Showing Examples
In educational or instructional contexts, 'vise' is used to present examples. 'Læreren viser et eksempel.' (The teacher shows an example.) This applies to demonstrating a skill too: 'Hun viser hvordan man lager kaken.' (She shows how to make the cake.)
Showing Feelings or Qualities
'Vise' can also be used for abstract concepts. For instance, 'vise respekt' (to show respect), 'vise interesse' (to show interest), or 'vise mot' (to show courage). These are often used with possessives or general nouns: 'Han viste stor tålmodighet.' (He showed great patience.)
Using with 'Seg' (Oneself)
The reflexive form 'vise seg' means 'to show oneself' or 'to appear'. For example: 'Solen viste seg etter regnet.' (The sun showed itself after the rain.) This is a slightly more advanced usage but good to be aware of.

Kan du vise meg hva du mener?

De viste oss sine nye leiligheter.

Barnet viser frem tegningen sin.

Everyday Conversations
You will hear 'vise' constantly in informal, everyday Norwegian. If you meet a friend and they have something new, they might say: 'Jeg vil vise deg min nye telefon.' (I want to show you my new phone.) Or if you're lost, you might ask someone: 'Kan du vise meg veien til sentrum?' (Can you show me the way to the city center?). It’s a fundamental part of giving and receiving information.
In Shops and Services
When you are shopping, sales assistants will often use 'vise' to present products. 'Jeg kan vise deg denne jakken.' (I can show you this jacket.) Or a waiter might 'vise' you the menu: 'Her er menyen, vil du jeg skal vise deg noe spesielt?' (Here is the menu, would you like me to show you something special?).
Educational Settings
In schools, universities, or even informal learning environments, teachers and instructors frequently use 'vise'. They will 'vise' examples, 'vise' how to solve a problem, or 'vise' a presentation. 'Læreren viste oss hvordan man bruker denne programvaren.' (The teacher showed us how to use this software.)
Public Spaces and Signage
Public signs often use the concept of 'vise'. For example, a sign might say 'Veien viser til Oslo' (The road shows to Oslo), or more commonly, 'Dette viser utgangen' (This shows the exit). Maps in public transport or tourist areas are designed to 'vise' you where to go.
Media and Presentations
In news reports, documentaries, or presentations, the word 'vise' is used to describe what is being shown on screen or demonstrated. 'Programmet vil vise klipp fra konserten.' (The program will show clips from the concert.)
Expressing Qualities
You'll also hear it in contexts where people are talking about demonstrating character or emotions. 'Han viste stort mot under press.' (He showed great courage under pressure.) 'Hun viser alltid interesse for nye ideer.' (She always shows interest in new ideas.)

Innkjøperen viste oss de nye prøvene.

Kan du vise meg kartet over byen?

Vi skal vise dere hvordan det fungerer.

Travel and Navigation
When traveling, asking for directions is key. 'Kan du vise meg veien til togstasjonen?' (Can you show me the way to the train station?) is a common scenario. Also, when looking at a map, someone might point and say, 'Her viser vi hvor vi er.' (Here we show where we are.)
Art and Culture
Museums, galleries, and theaters use 'vise' to describe their exhibitions and performances. 'Museet viser en ny utstilling om vikingtiden.' (The museum is showing a new exhibition about the Viking Age.)

Han viser frem sitt nye prosjekt.

Dette kartet viser alle severdighetene.

Kan du vise meg resultatet?

Confusing 'vise' with 'se'
A very common mistake for beginners is to confuse 'vise' (to show) with 'se' (to see). 'Se' is passive – it's about the act of perceiving visually. 'Vise' is active – it's about making something visible to others. For example, you 'se' a picture, but someone 'viser' you the picture. Incorrect: 'Jeg se deg bildet.' Correct: 'Jeg viser deg bildet.' or 'Jeg ser bildet.' (I see the picture.)
Incorrect Word Order
When showing something *to someone*, the structure 'vise + person + object' is more common and natural than 'vise + object + til + person'. While 'Jeg viser bildet til deg' is grammatically correct, 'Jeg viser deg bildet' is generally preferred. Beginners might stick to the English structure and say the former too often.
Overuse of 'til' with Pronouns
Related to the word order, learners sometimes overuse 'til' with personal pronouns. For example, saying 'vise til meg' when 'vise meg' is the correct and more common form. The exception is when the object being shown is a noun phrase: 'vise til kartet' (show to the map - less common, usually 'vise kartet').
Confusing Tenses
Like with many verbs, mixing up the present tense ('viser'), past tense ('viste'), and past participle ('vist') is a common hurdle. Ensure you use the correct form based on when the action occurred. For instance, saying 'Jeg viser deg i går' (I show you yesterday) is incorrect; it should be 'Jeg viste deg i går' (I showed you yesterday).
Using 'Vise' for Abstract Concepts Inappropriately
While 'vise' can be used for abstract things like 'vise respekt' (show respect), beginners might try to use it in situations where a different verb is more appropriate, or where the meaning is not clear. For example, trying to 'show' an opinion might be better expressed with 'uttrykke' (express) or 'si' (say) depending on the nuance.
Misunderstanding 'Vise Seg'
The reflexive form 'vise seg' (to show oneself, to appear) can be confusing. Learners might use 'vise seg' when they simply mean 'to show' something, or vice versa. For example, saying 'Solen viste seg seg' when you mean 'The sun appeared' is correct, but saying 'Jeg viste meg boken' (I showed myself the book) would be incorrect; it should be 'Jeg viste deg boken' (I showed you the book).

Incorrect: Jeg se deg bildet. Correct: Jeg viser deg bildet.

Incorrect: Jeg viser bildet til deg. (Less natural) Correct: Jeg viser deg bildet.

Incorrect: Jeg viser deg i går. Correct: Jeg viste deg i går.

Verb Conjugation Accuracy
Forgetting to conjugate the verb correctly is a universal learner's mistake. 'Vise' is a regular verb, so its forms are consistent: infinitive 'vise', present 'viser', past 'viste', past participle 'vist'. Memorizing these forms is crucial.

Incorrect: Han viser meg boken i går. Correct: Han viste meg boken i går.

Incorrect: Jeg har vist deg dette. Correct: Jeg har vist deg dette. (Past participle correct, but the sentence structure itself might be confusing.)

'Vise' vs. 'Se'
As mentioned, 'se' means 'to see'. This is a passive action, while 'vise' is active. You 'se' something, but you 'vise' something to someone.
Vise: 'Jeg viser deg huset.' (I show you the house.)
Se: 'Jeg ser huset.' (I see the house.)
'Vise' vs. 'Vise frem'
'Vise frem' is a phrasal verb that means 'to show off' or 'to present' something, often with pride. It implies a more deliberate display.
Vise: 'Han viser meg dokumentene.' (He shows me the documents.)
Vise frem: 'Hun viser frem sin nye kjole.' (She is showing off her new dress.)
'Vise' vs. 'Peke på'
'Peke på' means 'to point at'. This is a specific way of showing something, usually by directing attention with a finger or gesture.
Vise: 'Kan du vise meg veien?' (Can you show me the way?)
Peke på: 'Han peker på kartet for å vise veien.' (He points at the map to show the way.)
'Vise' vs. 'Demonstrere'
'Demonstrere' means 'to demonstrate', often in a more formal or technical way, or to protest. It's a stronger word than 'vise' for showing how something works.
Vise: 'Læreren viser eksempelet.' (The teacher shows the example.)
Demonstrere: 'Ingeniøren demonstrerer hvordan maskinen fungerer.' (The engineer demonstrates how the machine works.)
'Vise' vs. 'Fortelle'
'Fortelle' means 'to tell'. While you can tell someone information, 'vise' is about making that information visible.
Vise: 'Hun viser meg bildet.' (She shows me the picture.)
Fortelle: 'Hun forteller meg om bildet.' (She tells me about the picture.)
'Vise' vs. 'Gi'
'Gi' means 'to give'. You give an object, but you show it to someone.
Vise: 'Han viser meg nøklene.' (He shows me the keys.)
Gi: 'Han gir meg nøklene.' (He gives me the keys.)

'Vise' (to show) vs. 'Se' (to see): Jeg viser deg noe. Jeg ser noe.

'Vise' (to show) vs. 'Vise frem' (to show off): Hun viser frem sin nye bil.

'Vise' (to show) vs. 'Peke på' (to point at): Han peker på kartet for å vise retningen.

'Vise' in Compound Verbs
The root 'vise' appears in other verbs with related meanings:
Bevise: To prove. (Shows evidence)
Utvise: To expel, deport, or show outward behavior. (Shows outwardly)
Oversvømme: To flood (literally, to 'over-show' with water).
Understanding the core of 'vise' helps in understanding these derived words.

'Vise' (to show) vs. 'Demonstrere' (to demonstrate): Læreren viser oss en formel. Forskeren demonstrerer et eksperiment.

'Vise' (to show) vs. 'Fortelle' (to tell): Han viser meg bildet. Han forteller meg om bildet.

'Vise' (to show) vs. 'Gi' (to give): Hun viser meg boken. Hun gir meg boken.

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