Meaning
Knowledge from past practice.
Cultural Background
Norwegians value 'realkompetanse'—skills learned through life and work rather than just degrees. Mentioning your 'erfaring med' practical tasks is often more important than your diploma. In Norwegian flat hierarchies, saying you have 'erfaring med' a task makes you a valuable team member regardless of your rank. During community work (dugnad), people often ask about 'erfaring' to distribute tasks fairly. Students are encouraged to get 'erfaring' through part-time jobs (deltidsjobb) early in life.
CV Power
Always use 'erfaring med' followed by a specific tool (Excel, Python, SAP) to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
The 'I' Trap
Never say 'erfaring i' unless you are talking about a very broad field like 'erfaring i livet' (experience in life).
Meaning
Knowledge from past practice.
CV Power
Always use 'erfaring med' followed by a specific tool (Excel, Python, SAP) to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
The 'I' Trap
Never say 'erfaring i' unless you are talking about a very broad field like 'erfaring i livet' (experience in life).
Modesty
If you are very good at something, say 'Jeg har mye erfaring med...' instead of 'Jeg er best i...'. It sounds more Norwegian.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jeg har mye erfaring ____ kundeservice.
In Norwegian, we always use 'med' when talking about experience with a specific field or task.
Which sentence is correct for a job interview?
How do you say 'I have experience with driving'?
You need both the preposition 'med' and the infinitive marker 'å' before the verb.
Match the Norwegian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These adjectives help specify the amount of experience you have.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kan du hjelpe meg med Excel? B: Ja, jeg har ____ ____ med det.
'Mye erfaring' is the most natural way to say you are good at a tool like Excel.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Common things to have experience with
Work
- • Salg
- • IT
- • Ledelse
Life
- • Barn
- • Matlaging
- • Reise
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg har mye erfaring ____ kundeservice.
In Norwegian, we always use 'med' when talking about experience with a specific field or task.
How do you say 'I have experience with driving'?
You need both the preposition 'med' and the infinitive marker 'å' before the verb.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These adjectives help specify the amount of experience you have.
A: Kan du hjelpe meg med Excel? B: Ja, jeg har ____ ____ med det.
'Mye erfaring' is the most natural way to say you are good at a tool like Excel.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is rarely used and often sounds like a translation from English. Stick to 'med' for 99% of cases.
'Erfaring' is what you have done. 'Kompetanse' is the formal proof or overall ability you have.
Usually no. We say 'mye erfaring' (much experience), not 'mange erfaringer' (many experiences), unless referring to specific distinct events.
Use 'Jeg har ingen erfaring med...'.
Yes! 'Jeg har erfaring med fotball.'
It is neutral. It works in both a coffee shop and a boardroom.
That is a related idiom for someone who has worked a long time in one place, but 'lang erfaring' is more common for skills.
Yes, but usually with a place. 'Jeg har erfaring fra Google.'
No, 'farlig' comes from a different root related to 'fear/danger', though both involve 'fara' (to travel/go).
Relevant erfaring.
Related Phrases
å være vant til
similarto be used to
å kunne
similarto know how to
å ha peiling på
informalto have a clue about
å mestre
specialized formto master
å ha bakgrunn i
similarto have a background in
