Meaning
Contributing to the whole.
Cultural Background
The concept is tied to 'Dugnad', where community members work together for free. Not doing your part in a dugnad is a major social faux pas. Similar to the Norwegian focus on group harmony (Wa), but with a stronger emphasis on hierarchy and specific roles. Focuses more on individual accountability and 'pulling your own weight' in a meritocratic sense. Very similar to Norway, often using the word 'Lagom' to imply that everyone should do just the right amount—not too much, not too little.
Master the Reflexive
Always double-check your subject. If it's 'vi', use 'vår'. If it's 'han', use 'sin'. This is the #1 marker of a B1 learner.
The Dugnad Spirit
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a team player. It's very positively received in Norwegian culture.
Meaning
Contributing to the whole.
Master the Reflexive
Always double-check your subject. If it's 'vi', use 'vår'. If it's 'han', use 'sin'. This is the #1 marker of a B1 learner.
The Dugnad Spirit
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a team player. It's very positively received in Norwegian culture.
Don't say 'hans del'
Unless you are talking about a third person's part that the subject is doing for them. 'Han gjør hans del' means 'He is doing that other guy's part'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct possessive pronoun (min, din, sin, vår, deres).
Han lovte at han skulle gjøre ___ del av vaskingen.
Because the subject is 'Han', we use the reflexive possessive 'sin'.
Which sentence is most natural in a professional setting?
How do you tell your boss the team is working well?
'Gjøre sin del' is the standard professional expression for collective contribution.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg er så sliten av dette prosjektet. B: Jeg vet, men hvis vi alle ______, blir vi snart ferdige.
The subject is 'vi' (we), so the possessive must be 'vår' (our).
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
Which phrase fits a community effort to clean a beach?
All these variations work well for a communal 'dugnad' situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Sin vs. Hans/Hennes
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHan lovte at han skulle gjøre ___ del av vaskingen.
Because the subject is 'Han', we use the reflexive possessive 'sin'.
How do you tell your boss the team is working well?
'Gjøre sin del' is the standard professional expression for collective contribution.
A: Jeg er så sliten av dette prosjektet. B: Jeg vet, men hvis vi alle ______, blir vi snart ferdige.
The subject is 'vi' (we), so the possessive must be 'vår' (our).
Which phrase fits a community effort to clean a beach?
All these variations work well for a communal 'dugnad' situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's possible but less common. 'Del' is the standard word for this idiom. 'Part' sounds more like a legal term.
Both are correct! 'Gjøre sitt' is just a shorter, slightly more informal version.
Because 'sin' is reflexive. It points back to the person doing the action. If you use 'hans', it points to a different person.
Yes, but be careful. It can sound a bit clinical, like you're talking about a business arrangement.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
You say: 'Jeg har gjort mer enn min del'.
You could say 'å ikke bidra' (to not contribute) or 'å være en gratispassasjer' (to be a free rider).
Yes, but it can also mean 'portion', 'share', or 'some'. In this idiom, it specifically means 'share of work'.
Absolutely. It shows you are a cooperative and responsible worker.
Usually, we keep 'del' in the singular because it refers to the abstract concept of 'one's share'.
Related Phrases
å dra sin del av lasset
similarTo pull one's share of the load.
å bidra med sitt
synonymTo contribute one's share.
å gjøre sitt
specialized formTo do one's bit.
å dra lasset alene
contrastTo pull the load alone.
