Null stress.
No stress.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The ultimate way to say 'no problem' or 'don't worry about it' in casual Norwegian conversation.
- Means: 'Zero stress' or 'It is totally fine' (no problem).
- Used in: Responding to apologies, thanks, or requests for small favors.
- Don't confuse: With 'Ingen årsak', which is much more formal and traditional.
Explanation at your level:
뜻
It is fine.
문화적 배경
Norwegians value 'flat hierarchy'. This means that even between a boss and an employee, casual language like 'Null stress' is often accepted and even encouraged to create a friendly work environment. In the capital, 'Null stress' is often shortened even further in speech to sound like 'N'stress', especially among younger generations in the eastern suburbs. Using 'Null stress' in a business email is becoming more common in Norway, but usually only after a few exchanges where a rapport has been established. In more rural areas or among older generations, you might hear 'Det gjer ingenting' (Nynorsk influence) instead of the more urban 'Null stress'.
The Shrug
When saying 'Null stress', a small, friendly shoulder shrug makes you look 100% more like a native speaker.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'Null stress' to every single thing, you might come across as a bit lazy or indifferent. Mix it up with 'Bare hyggelig'.
뜻
It is fine.
The Shrug
When saying 'Null stress', a small, friendly shoulder shrug makes you look 100% more like a native speaker.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'Null stress' to every single thing, you might come across as a bit lazy or indifferent. Mix it up with 'Bare hyggelig'.
Texting Style
In texts, it's often written as 'null stress' (all lowercase) to emphasize the casual nature.
The 'Null' Rule
Remember that 'null' is always 'null'. It never changes form, which makes it your best friend for quick responses.
셀프 테스트
Complete the dialogue with the most natural casual response.
Lise: 'Beklager at jeg sølte kaffe på bordet ditt!' Du: '_______, jeg tørker det opp.'
'Null stress' is the most natural way to dismiss a small accident among friends.
In which situation is 'Null stress' NOT appropriate?
Select the wrong context:
The phrase is too informal for a high-stakes, formal interview with an older person.
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Det er ____ stress!
The idiom specifically uses 'null' to mean 'zero'.
Match the Norwegian phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
These are standard equivalents in casual conversation.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Formality Levels of 'No Problem'
자주 묻는 질문
14 질문No, it's not rude, but it is very casual. It's like saying 'No worries' in English. It's friendly among peers but might be too informal for a boss you don't know well.
Yes, if the tone of the email chain is already informal. If you are writing a formal complaint or a job application, do not use it.
They are almost identical. 'Null stress' is slightly more common in social situations (apologies/thanks), while 'Null problem' is often used for tasks or technical issues.
Some do, especially if they are trying to sound modern or are very relaxed, but it is much more common among people under 50.
Yes! In fact, Norwegians often use it to hide the fact that they are busy, as a way of being polite and not making the other person feel like a burden.
It is always 'Null stress'. Using the definite form 'stresset' would be grammatically incorrect in this idiom.
It's a short, high, central rounded vowel. Try to make an 'oo' sound but move your tongue forward.
In Norway, the relationship between students and teachers is very informal. It is usually fine to say 'Null stress' to a teacher, especially at the university level.
The most formal way is 'Ingen årsak' or 'Det var da så lite'.
Yes, it is used in both, although it is more associated with the urban dialects often reflected in Bokmål.
Absolutely not. That would be extremely offensive. Use 'Jeg kondolerer'.
It's related. 'Null stress' is the response to a situation, while 'Chill' (or 'slapp av') is a command or a description of a vibe.
It is two separate words: 'Null' and 'stress'.
Norwegian has borrowed many English words related to modern life and psychology. 'Stress' was adopted because it was shorter and more specific than older Norwegian terms.
관련 표현
Det går fint
synonymIt's going fine / It's okay
Ingen årsak
synonymNo cause (You're welcome)
Bare hyggelig
similarJust my pleasure
Ta det med ro
builds onTake it easy
Null problem
synonymZero problem
어디서 쓸까?
Late for coffee
Venn: Beklager, bussen er sen! Jeg er der om ti minutter.
Deg: Null stress, jeg sitter og leser.
Borrowing a charger
Kollega: Kan jeg låne laderen din i en time?
Deg: Ja, null stress. Jeg har fullt batteri.
Spilling a drink
Gjest: Oi, unnskyld! Jeg sølte litt på bordet.
Vert: Null stress, det er bare vann. Jeg henter en klut.
Asking for a file
Sjef: Kan du sende meg den rapporten før du går?
Deg: Null stress, den er klar om to minutter.
Gaming with friends
Venn: Søren, jeg tapte runden for oss!
Deg: Null stress, vi tar dem i neste runde.
Dating
Date: Jeg glemte lommeboka hjemme...
Deg: Null stress, jeg spanderer i kveld!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the number '0' (Null) and a person relaxing in a hammock (No Stress). 0 Stress = Null Stress.
Visual Association
Imagine a large, red 'STRESS' sign being hit by a giant '0' and shattering into pieces, leaving only a calm, blue ocean behind.
Rhyme
Null stress, ingen press!
Story
Nils was worried about his Norwegian test. He told his friend, 'I am so nervous!' His friend smiled and said, 'Null stress, Nils! You studied hard.' Nils felt better immediately.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to use 'Null stress' at least three times today: once when someone thanks you, once when someone apologizes, and once when someone asks for a small favor.
In Other Languages
No hay problema / Tranqui
Spanish uses 'Tranqui' more as an adjective for people, whereas 'Null stress' describes the situation.
Pas de souci / T'inquiète
French 'T'inquiète' is a verb-based command, while 'Null stress' is a noun-based state.
Kein Stress / Kein Ding
German often uses 'Kein Ding' (No thing) even more frequently than 'Kein Stress'.
大丈夫 (Daijoubu) / 問題ない (Mondai nai)
Japanese requires much more attention to hierarchy (honorifics) than the very egalitarian 'Null stress'.
ما في مشكلة (Ma fi mushkila)
The Arabic phrase is slightly more formal/standard than the slangy 'Null stress'.
没问题 (Méi wèntí)
Chinese often repeats the phrase for emphasis ('Mei wenti, mei wenti'), which is rare for 'Null stress'.
괜찮아요 (Gwenchana-yo)
Korean has strict politeness levels (honorifics) that 'Null stress' completely ignores.
Sem problemas / Tranquilo
Portuguese speakers might use 'Beleza' (Beauty) in similar contexts, which doesn't translate to Norwegian.
Easily Confused
Learners think it's the same as 'Null stress'.
'Ikke stress!' is a command telling someone to stop being stressed. 'Null stress' is a statement that there is no problem.
Learners use it in very casual settings where it sounds too stiff.
Use 'Ingen årsak' with your grandmother; use 'Null stress' with your friends.
자주 묻는 질문 (14)
No, it's not rude, but it is very casual. It's like saying 'No worries' in English. It's friendly among peers but might be too informal for a boss you don't know well.
Yes, if the tone of the email chain is already informal. If you are writing a formal complaint or a job application, do not use it.
They are almost identical. 'Null stress' is slightly more common in social situations (apologies/thanks), while 'Null problem' is often used for tasks or technical issues.
Some do, especially if they are trying to sound modern or are very relaxed, but it is much more common among people under 50.
Yes! In fact, Norwegians often use it to hide the fact that they are busy, as a way of being polite and not making the other person feel like a burden.
It is always 'Null stress'. Using the definite form 'stresset' would be grammatically incorrect in this idiom.
It's a short, high, central rounded vowel. Try to make an 'oo' sound but move your tongue forward.
In Norway, the relationship between students and teachers is very informal. It is usually fine to say 'Null stress' to a teacher, especially at the university level.
The most formal way is 'Ingen årsak' or 'Det var da så lite'.
Yes, it is used in both, although it is more associated with the urban dialects often reflected in Bokmål.
Absolutely not. That would be extremely offensive. Use 'Jeg kondolerer'.
It's related. 'Null stress' is the response to a situation, while 'Chill' (or 'slapp av') is a command or a description of a vibe.
It is two separate words: 'Null' and 'stress'.
Norwegian has borrowed many English words related to modern life and psychology. 'Stress' was adopted because it was shorter and more specific than older Norwegian terms.
