Signification
To endure a difficult burden.
Contexte culturel
In Norway, the phrase is often linked to the concept of 'den stille lidelsen' (the quiet suffering), where showing too much emotion is traditionally discouraged. Across Scandinavia, these biblical idioms remain in the language as cultural artifacts, even as church attendance has dropped significantly. The Lutheran focus on individual responsibility and personal faith makes 'carrying one's cross' a very individualistic metaphor in Norway. Today, the phrase is frequently used by secular psychologists and authors to describe the weight of trauma or mental health struggles.
Avoid Sarcasm
Using this phrase sarcastically can be very offensive to some, given its religious origins.
Use in Literature
This is a fantastic phrase to use in a C1/C2 Norwegian exam essay to show depth of vocabulary.
Signification
To endure a difficult burden.
Avoid Sarcasm
Using this phrase sarcastically can be very offensive to some, given its religious origins.
Use in Literature
This is a fantastic phrase to use in a C1/C2 Norwegian exam essay to show depth of vocabulary.
Teste-toi
Fyll inn riktig form av 'sitt' (mitt, ditt, sitt, vårt, deres).
Jeg må bære ___ kors alene.
The subject is 'Jeg' (I), so the possessive must be 'mitt'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for dette uttrykket?
Når kan du si 'Han bærer sitt kors'?
The idiom is reserved for serious, life-altering hardships.
Match uttrykket med riktig betydning.
Match 'Å bære sitt kors' med:
The figurative meaning is to endure a heavy emotional or life burden.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: 'Hvordan klarer hun å være så positiv til tross for alt?' B: 'Jeg vet ikke. Hun ___ virkelig ___ kors med verdighet.'
'Bærer' is present tense, and 'sitt' is the correct reflexive for 'hun'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg må bære ___ kors alene.
The subject is 'Jeg' (I), so the possessive must be 'mitt'.
Når kan du si 'Han bærer sitt kors'?
The idiom is reserved for serious, life-altering hardships.
Match 'Å bære sitt kors' med:
The figurative meaning is to endure a heavy emotional or life burden.
A: 'Hvordan klarer hun å være så positiv til tross for alt?' B: 'Jeg vet ikke. Hun ___ virkelig ___ kors med verdighet.'
'Bærer' is present tense, and 'sitt' is the correct reflexive for 'hun'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, it is widely used by everyone in Norway, regardless of their faith, as a general metaphor for hardship.
No, that would be literal. Use 'å bære noe tungt' instead.
You must use 'sitt' because 'kors' is a neuter noun (et kors).
Only if you are discussing a very serious past challenge you overcame; otherwise, it's too dramatic.
Expressions liées
å ha mye på hjertet
similarTo have a lot on one's mind/heart.
å stå i det
similarTo endure/stand in a difficult situation.
en tung bør
synonymA heavy burden.
å legge stein til byrden
builds onTo make a difficult situation even worse.
